A RESIDENT has spoken of her “heartbreak” at seeing a cemetery in Bradford being used as a fly-tipping dumping ground – with some rubbish left lying around for several weeks.

Piles of bulging bin bags, discarded bricks and concrete, hedge cuttings and even a pram have been ditched along footpaths in Scholemoor Cemetery.

The resident, who asked not to be named, is a regular visitor to the cemetery and said that what is usually a tranquil place now looks like a waste ground.

She said: “I am a regular walker around Scholemoor and have recently noticed an increase in fly-tipping on the footpaths and land.

“This should be a place of respect and tranquillity but instead it’s turning into a waste ground.”

Earlier this year, work began to extend the cemetery as part of Bradford Council’s £24 million Bereavement Strategy, which also includes refurbishment of Oakworth Crematorium and the construction of two new crematoria to replace dated existing facilities.

The resident added: “The money which is being put into extending the cemetery is great news, however the up keep of the existing cemetery is something left to be desired and is heart-breaking.”

“I'm not sure if Bradford Council has a lack of resources due to the Covid epidemic or if they just don't care, as some of the fly-tipping has been around for a number of weeks.”

Yasser Mohammed is a member of local campaign group Bradford4Better, which has been doing extensive work in the city to try and tackle the issue of fly-tipping.

He said: “There are a lot of fly-tipping hotspots across the city, and it’s an eyesore and very upsetting and distressing for residents who have to see this type of rubbish dumped on a regular basis. To see it being dumped in a cemetery is shocking.

"These people need to be caught, put through the legal system and fined in order to get some positive results.”

Bradford Council has outlined its policies on fly-tipping and has been taking an increasingly tough stance.

A spokesperson for the Council said: “If incidents of fly-tipping are reported to Bradford Council they will be dealt with expeditiously and appropriately.

“We will investigate all incidents of fly-tipping to try to identify the criminals responsible for dumping it.

“Bradford Council employs a range of measures to tackle illegal fly-tipping, including CCTV cameras to catch the culprits and seizing vehicles known to be involved.

“We have the power to issue Fixed Penalty Notices to, or prosecute through Magistrates’ and Crown courts, fly-tippers and householders who allow their goods to be fly-tipped by rogue traders.

“If rubbish is dumped on Bradford Council land, we will clear it up as soon as we can.

"Bradford Council is not responsible for removing rubbish from private land, but we will advise the landowner how to get rid of it and suggest ways to prevent a repeat.

“We also have the power to compel the landowner to remove fly-tipped rubbish.

“If you see fly-tipping taking place, please note down as many details as possible, including vehicle licence plate numbers and inform the Council.”