Plans to reopen a tip near Keighley have been welcomed by the community – but across West Yorkshire, some residents are travelling miles to dispose of their waste.
Sugden End Recycling Centre will reopen later this year, with Bradford Council diverting £400,000 from culture funding, it was confirmed last week.
Meanwhile, people in Ilkley and Birstall have told of the struggles they face with fewer facilities.
“People in the Wharfe Valley are just stuck,” says Steve Walker.
The 70-year-old from Ilkley has a 40-minute round trip to Keighley Household Waste Recycling Centre, despite living 10 minutes away from his nearest location in Menston.
Ellar Ghyll recycling centre is run by Leeds City Council.
“If you go to Menston, they do not like you using it because you do not live up there,” he says.
Instead, Steve travels to Keighley.
“It is absolute bedlam, people queue for at least half an hour,” he says.
Back in 2024, the tip Walker used was closed as part of cost-cutting measures by the then Labour authority at Bradford Council.
The Golden Butts recycling site in Ilkley has now been sold to a housing developer.
When the tips were closed, concerns over an increase in fly-tipping were raised to the authority.
Walker says that fear has now been realised.
“Everywhere you go, you see mattresses at the side of the road,” he says.
“There are old suitcases and builders’ rubbish.
“It is just disgraceful.”
