Campaigners fighting for a long-term solution to fly-tipping in one of the worst affected areas have described Bradford Council’s response as “exasperating”.

It follows analysis by Bradford District Green Party which showed that the Tong Ward ranked third for areas in the district with the highest number of fly-tipping reports between January 1, 2018 and May 31, 2020.

The footpaths between Burberry Close and Ferrand Avenue are one of the worst affected areas in Bierley, following a three year battle with illegal dumping.

Last year, residents spoke to the Telegraph & Argus about how the “gut-wrenching” smell and rat infestation affected their daily lives. This triggered a large operation by the Council to clear the area. But over the past six months, fly-tipping has once again blocked large areas of the footpath.

Matt Edwards, the community campaigner for the Green Party in Tong Ward, said the area has attracted other anti-social behaviour with quad-bikers breaking the fence which runs alongside the path to gain access to the former playing field at St. John’s Primary School. In January, the fire service was called out after a motorbike was set on fire. Now residents have joined Mr Edwards to call on the Council to clear the site up as well as put measures in place to stop a similar situation arising again.

Mr Edwards said: “Families don’t deserve this and it’s sad that a small number of selfish people are making so many lives miserable and wasting council tax payers money to get this mess cleared up. I’ve asked Bradford Council to look into replacing the bollards at the entrance to the snicket with barriers which will make it harder for fly-tippers to get access whilst still allowing pedestrians to use it.”

In response to this article, the Council sent the same statement it issued on August 16, 2020 - expressing that residents should note down as many details as possible, including vehicle licence plate numbers and inform them.

Recently the Council released £300,000 of funds to buy new CCTV cameras and block off hotspots. It is not yet clear where these measures will be introduced.

Mr Edwards, who suggested decoy cameras or trackers could be used to tackle the issue at the source, said: “It’s frustrating when you’re speaking to residents and how they want action to be taken and for Bradford Council to not really think outside the box and put the action in place, it’s exasperating.

“The Bradford Council staff who have been to clean up this rubbish do a really good job. But that’s not the issue. We need to stop it in the first place.”