THE Environment Agency has revealed it has had no contact with the owner of Swindon Skips since an order to clear the Cheney Manor site was issued on December 11.

Mountains of rubbish stand untouched on Brindley Close, raising fears the costs of the clean-up will fall on Swindon taxpayers.

The waste disposal company went into liquidation last year but its owner Lee Averies still remains responsible for clearing the estimated 11,000 tonnes of waste left behind.

But he has not responded to any attempts at contact by the EA and neighbouring businesses say no-one has been seen at Swindon Skips since before Christmas.

EA environment manager Colin Chiverton said: “We have attempted to contact Lee Averies a number of times but he has not responded, nor acted on any of our requests.

“We believe he is still around because he has set up new companies but he has not been in contact with us.

“As it stands, the rubbish remains a fire risk and the lack of security makes it a target for arson.

“As time goes on, there is also an increased risk of pests and there’s a chance of run-off into nearby drains.”

The lack of correspondence from Lee Averies or movement on the site is raising fears that on March 4, the deadline set by the order, responsibility to clear the site will fall to the council as its new owner.

It is estimated that to return the site back to good use, it would cost in the region of £2m.

Although the EA could in theory hand over responsibility to the council on that date, Colin said it is working with the authority.

He said: “We are not waiting until that date to take action and have been in discussions with Swindon Council.

“The Environment Agency and the council have a good relationship stretching back a number of years. Before we decide what action we take, we need to know what its plans for the site are. It is our job to make sure the environment is protected.”

The EA is investigating Lee Averies, who also owns Averies Recycling, which is in administration.

That company is under orders to clear its former base at Marshgate, the site of a major fire in the summer, an exercise believed to cost around £1m. While Colin would not give details of the investigation, similar cases have resulted in prison sentences.