A pile of waste dumped just yards from a hospital helipad has "potentially put lives at risk" – a Councillor has claimed.
Waste including branches and a suitcase has been dumped on the grounds of Airedale Hospital, on a field at the northern end of the site that houses the hospital helipad.
Bradford Council is currently investigating the matter.
It is thought that access to the field was gained using the Lyon Road Bridleway, which connects Eastburn with Steeton along the northern side of the hospital site.
The route is popular with walkers and runners.
After being alerted to illegal dumping by local residents, Councillor George Buckley (Airedale, Cons) visited the site.
He said:
“It is infuriating that yet again we see another incident of fly-tipping taking place.
“It is egregious that this has taken place just metres from the helipad for Airedale Hospital, potentially putting lives at risk.
“Now the waste will have to be cleaned up by the hospital when frankly I am sure they have far better things they would like to spend their budget on.
“I will not stop pushing the leadership of Bradford Council to tackle fly-tipping. I raised this at the last meeting of full council directly with the leader and I will continue to do so until action is taken.”
Councillor Raph Cohn (Airedale, Cons) added:
“If you are using a disposal service to remove waste you must ask to see proof of their waste carriers’ licence and should ask for proof of proper disposal.
“We all have a duty to make sure our streets and countryside don’t become dumping grounds for rubbish. We will keep pushing the Council’s leadership to reopen local Household Waste Recycling Centres like Sugden End to ease the burden on Keighley HWRC.”
Bradford Council’s Reform Leadership has said it is currently reviewing a decision by the former Labour leadership of the Council to close the Sugden End HWRC in Cross Roads as part of cost cutting measures.
Jon Wilson, Director of Operations of AGH Solutions, which manages the hospital’s estate, said:
“We are aware of the fly-tipping incident on the grounds of Airedale Hospital.
“We share the concerns already raised and are working closely with West Yorkshire Police and the Environment Agency to investigate the matter and help prevent any recurrence.
“Maintaining safe access to this area is vital, both for patients arriving by air ambulance and for the local community who use and live near the site.”
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