FIFTEEN fridges were dumped at a site in Little Houghton - just days after council figures revealed there had been a decrease in fly-tipping across Barnsley.
There was a 25 per cent increase in fly-tipping incidents during lockdown but since waste centres had reopened, there has been a 16 per cent decrease in the dumping of waste.
The kitchen appliances were left on Park Spring Road and Little Houghton parish councillor Kevin Osborne feels that more needs to be done to stop fly-tippers in their tracks.
Kevin, from Middlecliffe, said: “How many more times are Network Rail going to get away with just saying they are aware of fly-tipping in our community but do nothing to prevent it?
“Although they are not responsible for the dumping of these 15 fridges, they could try harder in making it difficult for those who seek a quiet, out-of-the-way place to commit environmental crime.
“Our local community can also do their bit by ensuring their domestic waste is disposed of correctly, checking on the validity of any waste carrier and perhaps thinking twice before leaving fridges out in the street for ‘the scrap man’.”
However, Network Rail denied responsibility for the site’s ownership, but the council urged residents to use its waste disposal centres.
Coun Chris Lamb, cabinet spokesman for environment and transportation at Barnsley Council, said: “Our figures show there was a 25 per cent increase in incidents when the sites were closed in April when compared to the same period when they were open in 2019 and has seen a 16 per cent reduction in incidents since reopening.
“The only acceptable level of fly-tipping is zero.
“We would like to remind residents that the household waste sites are open and our large item collection service is operating as normal, and to thank residents who have used our services for their patience during these challenging times.
“As a council we have made significant efforts through our ‘Everybody Think’ campaign to raise awareness of fly-tipping and that our enforcement teams continue their tireless work to see that those responsible are prosecuted.”
