COUNCILLORS have spoken out after a mountain of rubbish was fly-tipped within 200 metres of York’s central tip.

An angry resident - who did not want to be named - has complained about the incident, saying that she had spotted the rubbish, which appeared over the new year on James Street.

The discarded items, including carpeting, bedding and what looked like an old bath, were in a culvert on public land close to the entrance to the travellers site, only a few minutes walk from the Hazel Court tip.

Cllr Andrew Waller, executive member for the environment, said: “This fly-tipping has been reported to us and we will clear it up as soon as possible.

“It is particularly regrettable that it took place so close to our household waste disposal site, which is open every day except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.”

Janet Looker, the councillor for Guildhall where the fly-tip occurred, and Cllr Michael Pavlovic, whose Hull Road Ward neighbours the area, were both concerned by the incident, noting that they had seen an upturn in the dumping of items.

Cllr Looker said: “We are conscious that this is becoming a problem and are trying to come up with different and more imaginative ways of dealing with it. Council staff try to prosecute when they can.”

Cllr Pavlovic, who is keen to work with colleagues to find solutions to the problem, said: “The council are very thorough in trying to find out who is tipping - it’s a blight on the city.”

Both acknowledged, however, that the cost to the public to get rid of larger items was high, forcing them to turn to people offering unregulated services.

Of the council’s response to the issue, Cllr Andrew Waller said: “We use all our powers to make those who dump waste pay for their actions.

“We issued 12 penalty notices in the last year, leading to payment of £1,200, three successful prosecutions and another three ongoing.

“We’re also targeting unlicensed waste carriers, with one prosecution leading to a nine-month jail sentence last month.

“These prosecutions aren’t possible without the help of residents, so please report fly-tipping straight away at www.york.gov.uk or on 01904 551 551.”