WASTE and fly-tipping that could be used to start blazes on Bonfire Night is being collected in a blitz to clean the district’s streets.

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.

Such waste is often used to create unauthorised Bonfires, and the Council has also warned that storing waste that will be used for bonfires on public land is still classed as fly-tipping.

West Yorkshire 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.

Many people use the Bonfire season to fly tip flammable waste in the knowledge it will likely be picked up and thrown on Bonfires.

A Council spokesman said: “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."

Councillor 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.”

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/