Action on illegal dumping at a popular fossil-hunting hotspot could finally be taking place almost three years after it was first reported.

More beach-goers were left “horrified” after seeing a “staggering” amount of rubbish and building waste dumped at Eastchurch Gap, Sheppey – but the Island’s MP has said a stop to the harmful tipping “is now closer than it has ever been”.

It comes as dog walkers note more mounting rubbish on the once beautiful and secluded section of coastline.

Lenny Johnson, from Minster, was walking his dogs from the beach near his home towards Warden Bay when he came across the unsightly scene.

The 58-year-old said: “As we approached Eastchurch Gap, the amount of rubbish we could see that is being dumped there is staggering.

“I keep seeing rubbish washed up along the Leas Beach but this is on a scale that is horrifying.

“The fossil beds are being covered and the wildlife that is usually in the area is non-existent now.

“This needs to be stopped immediately and cleared but unfortunately it will probably cost millions, as it is an environmental disaster which will be with us now for decades to come.”

The issue was first reported three years ago.

And Lenny, who has lived on the Island his whole life, has questioned why the Environment Agency and Kent County Council (KCC) haven’t yet put a stop to the dumping.

He added: “I was shocked when I saw all the rubbish and felt people should be made aware of what is going on.

“I think whoever is responsible for this dumping should be held accountable for its removal as soon as possible.

“There are thousands of tonnes of contaminated material, soil, plastics, artificial grass, carpets and more sliding into the sea.

“The wildlife and marine life of the coastline will take decades to recover.

“Amazingly we got a Blue Flag award for our beaches this week but with the amount of toxic waste that is being dumped at Eastchurch Gap we probably won’t get another.

“The damage to the environment could be irreparable.”

A spokesman for KCC said the authority had no comment to make at this time.

The Environment Agency told KentOnline it was continuing to gather evidence as part of an investigation into reports of waste dumped illegally.

It said will also work with Kent Police and other partners across Swale targeting waste carriers suspected of illegal activity.

Anyone with new concerns about the area is encouraged to contact the agency’s hotline on 0800 807060, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. All calls are confidential.

“Illegal waste activity harms the environment and has a devastating effect on communities,” a spokesman said.

“As we accumulate evidence we constantly review our enforcement options.

“Our powers to tackle waste crime include prosecuting those we believe are behind dumping waste illegally, which can lead to prison sentences. Among other measures, we can use court orders to close down sites.”

Earlier this year it was also claimed that the area was also being used as a dump for human waste.

Fossil hunter Daniel Hogburn said he was left feeling physically sick after watching trucks tip rubbish off Sheppey's clifftops.

Daniel, who set up the North Sheppey Coastal Conservation and Preservation Community on Facebook, said he could also smell human faeces and urine when walking along the beach near Warden Bay.

Plastics and polystyrene – including rolls of Tesco packaging – had also been washing up onto the shore from the sea, further down the coast by Shellness beach and Warden Bay.

Sitingbourne and Sheppey MP Gordon Henderson is aware of the rubbish building up on the Island's beaches and has spoken publicly about the issues.

Last year, he launched a stinging attack on Environment Agency officers at a public meeting about cliff dumping.

This week Mr Henderson confirmed he is continuing to work with the responsible agencies in an effort to resolve this “long-standing scandal”, which he says is having a “hugely negative impact on the local environment”.

He added: “The endless stream of tipper lorries which are dumping waste from two sites in Eastchurch is destroying the road surface and kerbs of a number of roads in the east of the Island, and the waste – which is being dumped from the cliffs – is now washing up on beaches from Minster to Shellness.

“This activity has now been going on for almost three years, and I can understand the frustration of local people that little appears to have been done to stop it.

“I share that frustration because I am affected also, and last week met with the Environment Agency yet again to press them to take action.

“Unfortunately, taking enforcement action involves a lengthy legal process, and requires the collection of a huge amount of evidence to ensure a successful prosecution.

“That evidence has had to be collected from a number of sources, including CCTV cameras that have been installed.”

The Tory MP, who is stepping down at the next General Election, explained he did “not wish to raise the hopes” of residents too much, because “they have too often been left disappointed in the past”.

But he added he believes “a successful outcome is now closer than it has ever been”.

Cllr Mike Whiting (Con), who is now the Kent County Councillor serving the Isle of Sheppey, said he was “appalled” by the dumping going on in another area about two miles on from Eastchurch Gap.

He said: “I went to Manor Road, Warden, and was appalled by the illegal tipping that’s going on.

“It’s the number one issue being raised with me since my election a couple of weeks ago, and thanks to everyone who has got in touch and sent me pictures of the destruction of the natural habitat on the cliffs.

“It’s not just the illegal tipping, but the rubbish that then washes up on the beaches of Minster, Eastchurch Gap and Leysdown, and the damage to our country lanes.”

Cllr Whiting explained that he has since met with Mr Henderson and is taking up the traffic issues with KCC to stop lorries.

He added: “The police and Swale council have also assured me they are meeting to see what more they can do.

“I think it’s acting to the detriment of the Island and I’ll continue to push all responsible agencies to step up to the plate and put a stop to it.”

Swale Borough Council was also approached for comment.