Welsh Harp: Fly-tipping Persists Despite Clean-up Efforts

Fly-tipping continues to plague the Welsh Harp, with incidents including hazardous waste, despite ongoing clean-up efforts, according to reports presented at the Welsh Harp Joint Consultative Committee meeting on Monday 24 November 2025.

Barnet Council acknowledged persistent fly-tipping issues at Priestly Way, located opposite the advertising hoarding. According to the Public Reports Pack, waste contamination and access issues have hampered an effective response. The council has committed to rectifying the situation within the next month. The specific access issues hindering clean-up efforts were not detailed, but the council is exploring the feasibility of deploying CCTV in the affected area to deter future incidents. The council relies on public reporting to identify and clear fly tips, encouraging residents to report any fly-tipping around the Welsh Harp to parks@barnet.gov.uk.

Brent Council also reported ongoing issues of littering and fly-tipping, particularly towards the west of Neasden Recreation Ground. As of late October 2025, the council's grounds maintenance contractor was planning a clean-up of the fly-tipping in that area. Concerns and issues about litter and fly-tipping in parks can be reported on the FixMyStreet app, which also provides for photographs to be provided at the same time. The council can also be contacted by email or other contact options.

Both Brent and Barnet councils are working together to address the fly-tipping at Priestly Way. Leslie Williams (LB Brent Project Officer) reported that both boroughs were working together as far as practicable, although each operated under distinct systems, including differing relationships with contractors and service organisations. It was noted that while clearance operations could be coordinated, preventing fly-tipping remains a more complex challenge.

The Environment Agency clears accumulations of litter and fly-tipping from the trash screens on the tributary rivers entering the reservoir, at the Silk Stream and at the River Brent. The river-borne waste is almost entirely litter and fly-tipped waste from the river catchment upstream. The Environment Agency clear and remove the material on a maintenance schedule, which for the Priestley Way (Staples Corner) trash screen is once fortnightly.