BRADFORD’s worst fly-tipping grot spots of the past year have been revealed – and one area has topped the league of shame for the FOURTH year in a row.

And shockingly, the most blighted spot recorded an eye-watering 3,000 per cent more cases than the least-affected Council ward.

Little Horton topped the table, with 930 reports made during 2021. This was followed by Bowling and Barkerend with 824 cases; City with 796 cases; and Toller with 765 cases.
Wharfedale had the lowest number of fly-tipping cases, with just 30 reported in the entire year.

While reductions were recorded in most wards, the problem is one which still blights communities.

In Little Horton, the Telegraph & Argus discovered a fly-tipping ‘crime scene’ at the top of Tivoli Place. Tape had been wrapped around the fridge unit pictured, and a note slapped across the front said: “This rubbish has been examined for evidence and will be removed soon.”

The cobbled street which leads to Little Horton Lane was strewn with rubbish, despite Council signs urging people: “Don’t be a tosser.”

On the nearby Canterbury Estate, an area just off Gondal Court was a sorry sight with mattresses dumped over some railings.

Talat Sajawal, an independent councillor for the Little Horton ward, said: “Fly-tipping is a problem in the Little Horton ward, across the ward.

“We do need to get tougher on people and fine them and make an example of them and make sure people are aware that you can get fined for fly-tipping.”

Cllr Sajawal said in a transient area like BD5, landlords also need to take responsibility.

“We need everyone to be active in terms of reporting and passing on intelligence,” he said.

The fly-tipping league of shame was compiled by the Bradford Green Party and it’s a problem which Tong councillor Matt Edwards is all too familiar with.

He said: “Getting to grips with the fly-tipping in Tong ward has been one of my big focuses over the last year and I am pleased that there has not only been a significant reduction in the number of cases – but particularly in the areas with really significant fly-tipping problems.

“Places like Melcombe Walk and Camberly Mount in Holme Wood and the snickets behind Burberry Close in Bierley were almost completely covered in the most horrendous amounts of household waste - but now they are almost litter free.”

He added: “However, there is still a tremendous amount of work to do to deal with illegal traders who think they can get away with dumping rubbish in public areas.

“The only way to tackle this is to catch those doing it and I will be working with the area enforcement team to make sure we do that.”

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s executive member for healthy people and places, said: “I’m glad that our tough line against fly-tipping and our recent successes have been acknowledged by the local Green party in Tong.

“It is a neverending campaign that we have to run against the scourge of flytipping unfortunately, as seen right across the country.
“The latest statistics show councils in England are now dealing with around a million cases of fly-tipping in a year.

“So we are tackling it relentlessly and we are pursuing those who commit the offence.

“Our extra £600,000 investment in street cleaning, more frontline staff, additional enforcement officers and more cameras reflects our determination to tackle this horrible anti-social behaviour head on and to rapidly clean up the mess left by culprits wherever it appears.”

A spokesperson for Bradford Council said reductions in most wards across the district were welcome, but added: “It is still far too common and we will continue to do everything we can to crack down on it. Bradford Council actively investigates fly-tipping and we regularly take enforcement action against offenders.

"Last year we investigated over 2,000 incidents, issued over 50 fly-tipping fixed penalty notices and seized five vehicles involved in environmental crime.”

If people witness fly-tipping, it should be reported at www.bradford.gov.uk/flytipping or by calling 01274 432111.

The following information is important: the date and time of the tipping; the location; what was tipped and the amount, as well as descriptions of the people involved and any vehicles used, including registration numbers.

Do not touch any waste as it might be evidence the Council can use.