'There's rats and it stinks terribly': Calderdale homeowner blasts fly-tippers

Tom Mar, who lives near Lightowler Close, said piles of bin bags, mattresses and furniture are a health concern and have even attracted rats.

It comes after Calderdale Council's scrutiny councillors are recommending the authority re-opens two waste recycling centres after receiving representations from around 4,500 people protesting continued closure.

Mr Mar said: "It stinks terribly.

"There are a lot of rats, nobody does anything about it.

"I live next door, the apartment stinks, rats are running around the garden.

"Four weeks have not been taken, everything rots.

"This is unacceptable, especially since there's a pandemic.

Calderdale Council’s sites at Elland and Sowerby Bridge were closed when Covid-19 lockdown was imposed at the start of the pandemic and unlike three others at Halifax, Brighouse and Todmorden have not re-opened since.

Critics at the, at times, angry meeting say this has led to increased fly-tipping, an increase in vermin from uncollected waste and round trips of up to two hours as queues grow at the tips which are open, bringing an environmental cost.

Susan Press, Cabinet member for Public Services and Communities, said: “We do not tolerate fly-tipping in Calderdale – it’s a serious crime and we won’t hesitate to prosecute those responsible.

"We know the majority of people get rid of their waste correctly, but an irresponsible minority are blighting our landscape and costing the council and local taxpayers a lot of money due to clearing and investigation costs.

“We thoroughly look into each case of fly-tipping.

"We need all the evidence we can get to catch the culprits, so we urge witnesses to report what they see, and to give us as much information as possible.”