'We won't hesitate to prosecute fly-tippers blighting landscape', warns Calderdale Council

The council's warning comes after an increase of fly-tipping due to the closure of waste recycling stations during lockdown, according to Ryburn councillor Rob Holden.

Coun Holden said there was a member of staff 'manning the gate to stop people fly-tipping outside the gates'.

“Get a couple more people on, get them open and let’s get things moving,” said Coun Holden.

The recycling stations in Sowerby Bridge and Elland have remained closed since initial lockdown and Coun Howard Blagbrough (Con, Brighouse) said it was also an issue he wanted to raise.

Since lockdown began centres at Halifax, Todmorden and Brighouse have re-opened.

He and Coun Paul Bellenger (Lib Dem, Greetland and Stainland) had been provided with statistics which if overlayed on the increase in fly-tipping on their wards showed a distinct correlation.

Leader of the Counci Tim Swift had previously said the stations being closed did not excuse fly-tipping but these did not stop it either.

Residents in those areas were faced with, when the queuing and disposing of their waste was taken into account, a three-hour round trip to either Halifax, Brighouse or Todmorden.

He expected contractors Suez to step up and that opening the Sowerby Bridge and Elland centres would ease the burden on the kerbside collecting teams.

“I think we're being penny wise and pound foolish at the moment.

“The cost of clearing fly-tipping must be astronomical,” said Coun Holden.

Susan Press, Cabinet member for Public Services and Communities, said the number of signatures made it clear there was a lot of concern about the issue.

The issue should be discussed by the council’s Place Scrutiny Board on Wednesday, she said.

“Hopefully that will give us a proper opportunity to have a really good look at issues around this in depth,” said Coun Press.

Bulky waste collections were being resumed and it was hoped the remote services collection would soon be weekly again, she said.

Coun Blagbrough said Sowerby Bridge and Elland centres remaining closed impacted on Brighouse, for example.

“I understand why the initial decision was taken, but what plans are in place to re-open these as a matter of urgency?” he said.

Coun Press 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.”