FLYTIPPERS who dumped old mattresses and other rubbish in a lay-by alongside a busy main road have come under fire.

Councillors and the local authority have condemned those responsible and are appealing for anyone who witnesses such incidents to come forward.

Two mattresses and bags of rubbish were left in the lay-by near Kildwick roundabout, on the A629 Aire Valley trunk road.

The site is within the boundaries of Craven Council, which says that where evidence exists, flytippers will be prosecuted.

“Flytipping is illegal and an eyesore and although it is not a huge problem in Craven – we had the fifth lowest incidence across the country in 2012-13 – we take it very seriously and investigate all cases reported to us," said a spokesman.

"The council is responsible for clearing fly-tipped waste on highway verges, lay-bys and footpaths and pavements.

"If flytipping is witnessed, we would encourage the public to let us know by phoning 01756 700600."

Coun Philip Barrett, whose Glusburn and Cross Hills ward includes the Kildwick site, backs the plea for people to come forward if they have any information about flytipping.

"It's not always easy to track down the culprits because they commit these acts in out-of-the-way places or when there aren't people about," he added.

"Fortunately it doesn't happen too much in the Craven district and when it does the council is quite responsive."

Bradford district councillor Andrew Mallinson's Craven ward borders the scene of the incident, but he says boundaries are unimportant when it comes tackling the litter menace.

"It's everybody's countryside and it is getting blighted," he said.

"I am shocked and saddened that some people are not interested in looking after their own environment.

"In Craven ward we have a large number of snickets and alleyways adjoining fields and properties and these, together with the canal towpath, are favourite places for people to dispose of rubbish.

"Nowadays we have good recycling plants and household waste collection services, and most people have transport or access to it, so there's no excuse at all for dumping rubbish in this way."

Flytipping has hit the headlines in recent weeks after a Keighley News Freedom of Information request to Bradford Council revealed that the number of fixed penalty notices issued for dumping litter in Keighley district had slumped.

Coun Andrew Thornton, Bradford Council’s executive member for environment and sport, says everyone has a responsibility to keep streets and public places as clean and tidy as possible.

Council wardens and police community support officers are empowered to issue fixed penalty notices to anyone they see dropping litter or not clearing up immediately after their dog has fouled.

And the council’s environmental enforcement team follows up on reports from members of the public who have witnessed littering or fouling.