Ridiculous Fine for Coffee Waste in London After Hours

[Bandit]

Mind-boggling stuff! Totally ridiculous.

A woman was shocked to be fined £150 for pouring away coffee dregs into a drain in west London.

Burcu Yesilyurt, who lives in Kew, said the punishment is "extreme" after being approached by three enforcement officers.

Ms Yesilyurt tipped out a small amount from her reusable cup down the road gully rather than risk spilling it on the bus she was waiting to alight.

She received a fine under Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Ms Yesilyurt told BBC News: "It feels quite unfair. I think the fine is extreme. It's not proportionate."

She added: "I noticed my bus was approaching, so I just poured the leftover bit. It wasn't much, it was just a tiny little bit. As soon as I turned around, I noticed three men, enforcement officers, chasing me, and they stopped me immediately."

Richmond Council in a statement given to the Standard after the incident was highlighted in news reports said it has decided to drop the fine.

A spokesperson said: "We have reviewed the body-worn footage of the incident. From this, it is clear that a contravention took place which justified the Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) being issued. Contrary to the suggestion in reports, the enforcement officers acted appropriately and with sympathy. They were in no way aggressive.

"FPNs clearly outline that there is an appeal process available to anyone who wishes to challenge them. It is likely that, had this case progressed through that route, the notice would have been rescinded. On this occasion, the Council has therefore decided to cancel the FPN.

"We remain committed to protecting Richmond's waterways and keeping our borough's streets clean and safe. We are also reviewing our advice on the disposal of liquids in a public place and will be updating this information on our website."

 

[Gemma]

Unbelievable that a fine was issued for this in the first place. Morons running councils.

 

[David76]

A cup of coffee is about 99% water, with 1% dissolved solids (coffee). Rainwater picking up the crap on the roads before entering the drains is far worse. The council initially backing up their jobsworths is just as baffling.

 

[Tom]

If she'd poured it next to the drain so that natural run off would've taken it, would that be allowed? I'll admit I'm baffled...

 

[Franco Pinion]

Absolutely ridiculous. At least they righted the wrong.

Meanwhile, especially in England, water companies are systematically tipping sewage into waterways.