FED-UP residents complained this week after household items were dumped on the street.

Neighbours in Skipton's Burnside Avenue area were upset when Craven District Council refuse collectors refused to take away the rubbish following the introduction of charges on April 1. Historically the service has always been free.

Margaret Hopkinson, of Ashfield Terrace, said that the rubbish was tipped against her garden fence, and was a real eyesore. "The dustbin men refused to take the extra away because it had not been paid for. It isn't our rubbish," she said.

Her neighbour, Stephen Johnson, of Burnside Avenue, agreed that it was a terrible situation.

"We have got two weeks of hardware rubbish here and they are refusing to take it away because of this policy they have of paying. I am fortunate, I have a vehicle and trailer I can take my own rubbish straight to the tip, but a lot of residents haven't got that facility. It just isn't on. It's dangerous because the kids are throwing stuff in the middle of the road," he said.

Coun Robert Heseltine was in the area on Wednesday and was stopped by the residents.

He said: "Since April 1 when Craven District Council stopped the free collection of bulky household rubbish, I have been inundated by concerned members of the public reporting fly tipping across the district.

"This Burnside incident is one of scores. Craven District Council must alter its ways and revert this policy to a free service.

"While sorting out the problem, there was a Craven District Council refuse wagon 10 yards away which under the new policy had refused to take the rubbish and a district council direct labour organisation wagon 10 yards down the street also unable to take the rubbish.

"I gained assurances from the director of resources at the council that he would send a third wagon before nightfall. Surely this is bureaucracy run mad," he added.

John Shakespeare, of Craven District Council, said the problem had arisen because a member of the public had dumped the items without prior arrangement with the council.

"I have identified the household responsible and I am formally contacting them about the situation. People must inform us when they want us to collect something," he said.

The council charges £7.05 to remove one item, £9.40 for two and £11.75 for three, but people on certain benefits do not have to pay. The disposal of white goods like fridges and freezers is still free because the council recycles them.

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