Discarded condom packets and razor blades turning beauty spot into 'a dump'

Walkers who regularly exercise their dogs at Scammonden Water near the Pennine stretch of the M62 at Outlane reported piles of trash, discarded food, condom packets and even razor blades in the area.

Commenting on Twitter Liz Dobson wrote: “I walk our dog regularly at Scammonden. This morning the place is a dump.

“Pulled my dog away from scoffing chicken curry, food rubbish and condom packets. People who want to enjoy the location but not take care!”

Her comments come as a UK businessman launches a new free app to allow people to combat fly-tipping by instantly reporting the location to their local authority.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service Liz, who lives in Huddersfield, said she was angry and appalled to see Scammonden littered with garbage that visitors had left behind.

“Rubbish is often left there but this is on a much more significant scale.

“People picnic and leave rubbish. Maybe the bins aren’t big enough but they should take it home.

“They certainly shouldn’t be leaving condom packets or razor blades. That’s appalling.”

She disposed of the razor blade to prevent it harming children or animals, and expressed concern that animals both domestic and wild could eat discarded food and become poorly.

“I find it strange that people would want to come her to enjoy an area of outstanding natural beauty but can’t look after it.

“The area is littered all the way to the side of the reservoir.

“There are people who plant trees at Scammonden. They have made real attempts to make paths for the benefit of everybody. Litter just spoils it.”

Public-spirited folk will soon be able to report incidents of fly-tipping and dumped rubbish via an app created by Hampshire-based businessman Martin Montague.

His ClearWaste.com app and website links to every local authority in the country.

It gives councils the location of the rubbish along with details and photographs. Mr Montague says that, over time, the mapping technology should be able to discover patterns in fly-tipping in order to catch criminals.

It also aims to help to boost recycling rates by linking consumers who have unwanted DIY materials with others who want such items, thus saving them money and reducing the amount going into landfill.

Mr Montague said: “If people find fly-tipped stuff they just take a picture with the app, put in a few details and a report will instantly be sent to the local council.

“It’s hooked into every local authority in the country.

“There’s no need to go to council websites and find the right place to report it to or phone a helpline and sit waiting in a queue for your call to be answered.

“You don’t even need to know where you are as you can use your location settings on your phone to do that automatically if you want to.

“Hopefully given time the statistics will be at help councils predict where fly-tippers operate.”

The ClearWaste.com app is live and available free: Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.taftech.clearwaste Apple: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/clearwaste/id1462879562