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Council tackling pre-bonfire night waste

Monday, 14 October 2024 18:20

Action is being taken to clamp down on fly-tipped waste in Ilkley and across the Bradford district in the run-up to Bonfire Night.

Bradford Council’s Street Cleansing teams are working with Incommunities teams to remove fly-tipped waste from Council land and any waste on Incommunities land over the coming weeks. This is to prevent dangerous and illegal fires being lit.

Fly-tipping is a criminal offence and can result in a court appearance, heavy fine and, in some cases, a custodial sentence. Stockpiling waste items such as sofas, bedframes, mattresses or other furniture to create a bonfire on public land is still fly-tipping.

The Police are supporting the work being done to tackle this issue by utilising Street Cleansing vehicles overnight, to remove any items that they see as posing a risk.

This work is being supported by the council’s Neighbourhood Wardens and Environmental Enforcement Wardens who are increasing patrols in hotspot areas to identify and penalise perpetrators where possible.

It is extremely selfish and dangerous to fly-tip combustible material during the Bonfire Night period.

Additional Waste and Street Cleansing resources will be provided in fly-tipping hotspots and the council’s Bulk Waste Collection Service will be expanded over the next few weekends.

Support will be provided by the Street Cleansing team for organised litter picks by residents to further reduce waste.

Bulky waste should not be left out, unless a collection has been arranged with a licensed company or the council’s Bulk Waste Collection Service. If it is just left out with no arrangement to have it collected, it is a fire hazard, could cause environmental issues and lead to fines and/or prosecutions. Alternatively, items can be taken to a Household Waste Recycling Centre.

Residents are encouraged to go to organised Bonfire Night events where safety precautions have been taken.

Cllr Sarah Ferriby, Portfolio Holder for Healthy People and Places, said:

“Many people are tempted to save or collect unwanted furniture and other household items to build a big bonfire, but this is still fly-tipping if it’s on public land. It poses a serious risk wherever it’s collected so we are doing all we can to ensure fly-tipped waste is removed, particularly in the run-up to Bonfire Night and would encourage people to go to organised events wherever possible.”

The Environment Agency has the following advice on bonfires:

  • Make sure you are only burning clean, dry untreated and unpainted wood.
  • Only use small amounts cardboard and paper to start the fire.
  • Check you know where the material for your fire has come from.
  • Keep your site secure so that others can't add waste to the pile as this will become your responsibility.
  • Make sure your bonfire is an appropriate size for the event.
  • Do not burn unsuitable wastes such as plastic, rubber, glass, oils or metal.

Anyone who discovers fly-tipped waste should report it to Bradford Council as soon as possible by ringing 01274 431000 or via this link https://www.bradford.gov.uk/transport-and-travel/report-issues/report-fly-tipping/  

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