Rubbish ‘is making gateway road a disgrace’

AN ENVIRONMENTAL group is calling for action over a rubbishstrewn stretch of road

Rishworth Environmental Group says Calderdale Council will not let group members clear any area between the village to the M62 which does not have a footpath.

The group says it has lobbied councillors and election candidates about the matter.

Justine Potts, the group’s secretary, said: “We know that the litter was removed four times a year some years ago and this was reduced to once a year using mobile traffic lights to close one side of the carriageway to protect the operatives.

“We have no idea when it was last done but suspect it was a long time pre-Covid.

“The litter is absolutely everywhere and I’ve never seen it so bad in the 18 years we’ve lived here.

“Bearing in mind this route is not only the gateway to Calderdale, it is also the gateway to Yorkshire, it is an absolute disgrace.”

Calderdale Council’s director of public services, Zohrah Zancudi, said: “We know how disappointing it is to see littering in our beautiful borough and we’re so grateful for the local community groups which help us tackle this problem which blights our environment.

“Our Green Spaces and Street Scene team has been holding clean-up events across the borough on every day of the Great British Spring Clean (March 25April 10) and we’ve been joined by some really passionate residents committed to keeping the borough clean and tidy.

“While we really appreciate this help, it’s important that residents don’t put themselves in danger when picking.”

He said locations must be accessible and safe.