IRRESPONSIBLE
fly-tippers have dumped heaps of asbestos on hills above Hetton in
the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Craven
District Council is investigating the incident and is asking for
any witnesses to come forward.
The
asbestos is likely to cost more than £1,000 to clean up as a
specialist company will need to remove it, due to the toxic fibres in
the material.
There
have been a number of similar cases in the district recently,
including a quantity on Ings Lane under the A629 bypass, and council
officers are keen for any evidence to identify the culprits.
Paul
Ellis, Director of Services at Craven District Council, said:
“Asbestos is a dangerous material and must be disposed of
correctly. Fly-tipping this material is extremely irresponsible. It’s
also particularly shocking that this waste has been dumped in a
picturesque part of the National Park.
“Fly-tipping
of any kind ruins our beautiful countryside and costs the tax-payer a
great deal to clear up. I would urge anyone with any information to
contact us as soon as possible.”
Anybody
with any information about the fly-tipped asbestos is asked to
contact Craven District Council’s Cleaner Neighbourhoods Team on
01756 700600.
Asbestos
may be harmful if broken up and the fibres disturbed, so residents
are advised to stay away from the immediate area until it is removed.
Craven
District Council’s Waste Management Team is arranging for its
removal as soon as possible.
When
removing asbestos from their own home, householders can dispose of it
at the Household Waste Recycling Centre on Harrogate Road, says the
council.
The
asbestos needs to be double wrapped in thick plastic sheeting such as
damp proof membrane.
More
information is available here: https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/asbestos
However
many people choose to use a contractor to remove the waste due to the
hazardous nature of the material.
A
council spokesman said: "All householders who want to hire an
asbestos removal contractor should check that they are a registered
waste carrier. This can be done on the Environmental Agency’s
public register: https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register
"They
must also ask to see the contractor’s asbestos licence; this allows
them to handle asbestos and to dispose of it at a registered amenity
site. You can also check that contractor has an asbestos licence
here: https://webcommunities.hse.gov.uk/connect.ti/asbestos.licensing
"Penalties
for environmental crimes can vary but do include fines of up to
£50,000 and/or up to 12 months imprisonment."
Craven
District Council recently successfully prosecuted a fly-tipper after
he was caught on CCTV cameras dumping rubbish in a layby.
Stuart
Robinson, 54, of Dracup Road, Bradford, admitted the offence and was
fined a total of £658 including costs. Robinson was caught on camera
fly-tipping several bags of rubbish on land at a layby near Priors
Lane, Skipton, on the A59
