Recycling fight for chip shop owners

petition to remove overflowing

recycling bins they claim are putting off customers - more than a month after the city council promised to remove them, writes John Baron.

Adrian and Elaine Atter, owners of The Cove Fish and Chip Restaurant and Takeaway in Otley, claim the 14 recycling bins situated in Cattle Market Street are a health hazard and a danger to children - and say they are tired of waiting for Leeds City Council to take action.

As reported by the Wharfedale Observer on May 4, Leeds City Council promised to resite the plastic and can recycling skips at Ellar Ghyll in Otley, but the Atters are furious that nothing has been done.

In a letter to the city council, Mr and Mrs Atter said that they try to promote Otley as a tourist area, but find it difficult with an eyesore

outside their restaurant.

"We have been in business for 16 years and lived in Otley most our lives and would like to think that in some small way we have helped to keep Otley on the map," they said.

"The amount of litter left there when these skips are full makes the area an eyesore, it blows all over the place and is a constant mess when left there.

"The comments from visitors and local people who use the car park at the side of the skips are of disgust."

Mrs Atter said that the restaurant could be in danger of losing a series of prestigious awards, like Britain in Bloom and the Seafish Award, which partly judge the restaurant on its

outside appearance.

She also fears for the safety of

children who play in the area.

"Somebody is going to get seriously injured or killed if something isn't done about it - one of the skips was set on fire only last week."

A council spokesman, in an apparent U-turn, said: "We are still seeking an alternative site for the recycling banks. In the meantime, we are diverting additional resources to see they are properly maintained."

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