Natural environment under pressure from fly-tippers in parts of York
Several nature areas are suffering problems with dumping and litter.
The problem is likely to get worse as the summer approaches. Not only is there no local recycling centre on the west of the City, but the regular skip visits, funded by the Council on many estates, ceased suddenly on 1st April.
These are some of the areas that we have reported recently
Foxwood park dumping
Acomb Wood Meadow dumping
Acomb Wood Meadow tree cover being eroded
Westfield Fen woodland covered in litter
Remains of a bonfire adjacent to Westfield bog
Some residents are now saying that the boundaries of nature areas should be secured – with access allowed only under supervision – at least until the areas have had a chance to regenerated.
Areas like the Foxwood Park are, however, widely used for other leisure activities and here enforcement of anti dumping laws appears to be the only way forward. The Council may install CCTV cameras to catch dumpers.
Fly tipping fines can now be as much as £400.
The Foxwood Residents Association is starting discussions with Accent Housing which is the landlord of some of the proprieties which border the threatened areas. They will be asking for their help in funding improvements along the boundaries together with regular clean ups.
In addition it will be suggested that skips visit the estate regularly to allow tenants to dispose of unwanted items.
Wildlife is,however, thriving on the Lowfields playing fields the boundary of which is normally secured.
Ironically this is an area that the Council hopes to develop.
Call for action on fly tipping
Cllr Sheena Jackson has reported dumping problems
Local Cllr Sheena Jackson has called for action as more dumping has taken place this week.
One vehicle targeted a public litter bin which was filled with domestic rubbish before a black sack was also dumped next to it.
The problem is likely to get worse if the Council don’t act quickly to restore the regular skip visit service which ended in March.
The Foxwood Residents Association has polled residents on their local budget priorities. The results of the consultation will be discussed at their AGM next week (19th April).
Continuation of the skip service will be a high priority according to residents responses.
Action taken to clear fly tipping and litter
Good to see the Council taking prompt action to remove the fly tipping from Askham Lane
Also the long standing problem with graffiti on the Tithe Close snicket.
Other snickets have also been cleared of litter.
Slower progress in removing fly tipping from the Grange Lane park and in sweeping some gutters.
Fly tipping
Really no need for this sort of fly-tipping seen on Askham Lane today. It was reported at 2:00pm.
The skips are vising the area for at least another month or so and we have been promised that a replacement service will operate after April.
On the spot fines of £400 can now be levied.
Commercial fly tippers can face fines of up to £500,000 and a prison sentence
If you discover fly tipped waste, please report it to the Council’s customer centre or via the eform
See also https://www.york.gov.uk/homepage/18/waste_and_recycling
Dumping problems on increase in west York
Despite the introduction of £400 fines for “fly tipping” problems with dumping seem to be on the increase.
In west York most residents have access to free skip services on Saturdays
We hope residents will use them.
That was the week that was in west York
Thanks to the work of volunteers aided by the community payback team the garden at the Foxwood Community Centre is now looking amazing.
The next Foxwood Residents Association meeting on Thursday will give those attending a chance to see the work that has been done
Meanwhile the prize winners in the Foxwood Residents Association annual flower basket competition have been announced.
Elsewhere local Westfield Ward Councillors have been out and about reporting issues
Dumping on Beaconsfield St back lane.
Epicormic leaf growth on some tree trunks like this on Gale Lane is causing visibility problems
Blocked gulley on Gale Lane. Several have been reported for cleaning by Cllr Andrew Waller
Success for Cllr Sheena Jackson who has had the damaged bollard at the entrance to Fir Heath Close repaired
More dumping on the Bachelor Hill snicket
Acomb car park recycling area blighted by flytipping
Although not as bad as on some occasions in the past, black sacks and other items have been fly tipped on the Acomb car park.
These have been reported to the Council using the fixmystreet website.(in the continuing absence of the much promised, but never delivered, new Council reporting app).
More fly tipping
Fly tipping in Acomb car park
Full clothes bank
Full clothes bank
Increase in fly tipping in York £68,652 cost
Instances of fly tipping in York have increased in each of the last 3 years.
Over £68,000 was spent last year cleaning up the mess. However only one perpetrator was prosecuted.
Part of the issue can be traced back to the closure of the Beckfield Lane amenity site.
There have also been problems with some waste collection rounds while the charges for the removal of bulky waste have rocketed.
Council to support students and charity during end of term rubbish clear up
As part of this year’s campaign for a tidy end to the academic year, City of York Council is working with British Heart Foundation (BHF) to back its fundraising, and support students to recycle and dispose of waste responsibly.
In this, the third year of the campaign, the council will be making extra collections of grey bins or bags – whichever are usually collected – on Saturday 27 June in The Groves, Hull Road and Fishergate areas. Students leaving their accommodation for the summer and residents will both feel the benefit and are being urged to make the most of this opportunity.
Besides putting out their waste, local people and students will be encouraged to donate to BHF items suitable for sale, at 10 permanent clothing banks at key drop off points located across the city and university campuses.
These will be collected by the charity and sold as part of its Fight For Every Heartbeat campaign.
Information leaflets and maps of BHF collection bin locations and BHF collection bags will shortly be distributed to households in the three areas.
Last year 1,899 bags were collected through BHF’s special collection bins. Each had an average weight of 8.2 kilos, yielding a total 15.6 tonnes of donations which, using BHF’s estimate that each bag has a £20 value, £37,980 was raised for the British Heart Foundation by York residents and students.
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