A JOINT investigation is under way into infill tipping at a Baildon Moor landmark which has sparked worries among residents and users of the twisting road to Eldwick.
The Environment Agency and Bradford Council are both making inquires into activity at the disused walled reservoirs on Bingley Road, which have become a destination for tipper wagons during recent weeks.
City Hall was prompted to investigate after ward Councillor Val Townend passed on issues raised by people in her ward.
"People have become very concerned about the lorries, the mud on the road and all the water that's being pumped from the site," Cllr Townend said.
"All the activity with lorries going backwards and forwards is also causing congestion on a road with no lights to control traffic.
"Residents also want to know precisely what is being taking into the site and also any effect on a big beck that runs down from there and past the golf club.
"They are worried about flooding and the knock on effect of draining water from the reservoirs which will, of course, then run down hill.
"There is no planning permission for any building on that site and folk are worried about how the landowner may plan to develop it."
A reader who contacted the Telegraph & Argus said: "I am also concerned that the area is criss-crossed by streams and land drainage and the mud on the road is a safety issue, despite mechanical sweeping."
A JCB fitted with a scraper has been used to clear heavy mud from the road surface outside the site.
A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: "The Environment Agency is investigating a waste operation at Bingley Road, Baildon, where inert waste is being deposited to infill disused reservoirs.
"The tipping of inert waste at this site is allowed under a Use of Waste in Construction exemption, however we are monitoring the operation closely to ensure that the activities are in line with environmental laws and do not pose a risk to the environment or local communities.
Our officers visited the site on Thursday, and once in January, to inspect the types and quantities of waste being deposited, and assess for any risk of pollution to the environment.
"We will continue to monitor the operation closely. If anyone notices any pollution resulting from this site, please report the matter to our incident hotline on 0800 807060 so we can investigate."
A spokesman for Bradford Council said: "We are aware of the concerns surrounding the filling in of decommissioned reservoirs on Bingley Road, Baildon.
"We are carrying out a planning enforcement and environmental investigation at the moment and when it is completed we will decide what further action may be required."
The reservoirs' owner, Arthur Edwick said: "Whatever Bradford Metropolitan Council may say, as far as I'm concerned, Baildon reservoirs are private property.
"They belong to me, they're private property, that's your answer."
A spokesman for Whitelock's civil engineering firm of Skipton, whose lorries were seen at the site, said they had not been involved in delivering infill material, only stone for possible use in road building.
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