FURIOUS residents have slammed “disgusting” fly-tippers who left a road impassable – after dumping two mountains of rubbish on the carriageway.

Four tonnes of waste, standing 15ft high, including mattresses, electrical cable, carpet, rubble and plastic bottles, was dumped in Watery Gate Lane near Earl Shilton, Leics. Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council believe the fly-tippers made two visits to the road.

The criminals then set one of the mounds of rubbish on fire in a bid to destroy any evidence which might lead the authorities to them.

Council officials have caught fly-tippers previously by finding letters and documents in bags of rubbish. The charred waste has blocked the entire length of the lane which commuters use when leaving the M69.

Drivers who frequently use the road to reach Earl Shilton expressed their disgust at the fly-tippers.

Sales manager Dave Johnson, 40, said: “I often use the road to get to and from work but the rubbish mountain has made it impassable.”

“It’s disgusting but unfortunately it’s seen as a safe place for these scumbags to dump the rubbish because they can get away fast.

“Setting it on fire is a new one on me, they obviously know how other fly-tippers have been caught.”

There are also fears the rotting waste could enter the water supply where a ford crosses Watery Gate Lane.

Residents of Earl Shilton also reacted furiously on social media.

Paul Nicholson wrote: “The people responsible for this are total fit for nothing scum bags.”

Debbie Milner posted: “Disgusting that someone has done this !! Be responsible for your rubbish!!”

Rhydell Poole said: “Absolutely disgusting, really hope you find who did this and they get suitably punished. No excuse for this at all, greedy, selfish scumbags!”

Jane Aldridge wrote: “This is beyond belief. Whoever are responsible should hang their head in shame. This is criminal.”

Writing on Facebook, Anya Tombs said: “What happens if this waste infects the water supply? An entire town could be at risk. Totally irresponsible."

The council wrote in a Facebook post: “We are appealing for any information about who may be responsible for tipping this waste on Watery Gate Lane, Earl Shilton.

“This would have been transported in a large vehicle and due to the different drop points would mean they visited this road twice.

“One of the huge fly tips has been set on fire.

“The road is currently blocked as the waste has been dumped onto the road.”

The rubbish was left at around 10pm last Friday (February 28).