MOUNTAINS of bin bags left in alleyways are posing a ‘serious risk’ to public health, according to a councillor who has complained about rat-infested streets on the outskirts of Barnsley town centre.
Kingstone and Central wards - two of the worst-hit places in Barnsley for fly-tipping - have come under scrutiny after an image of five rats scavenging among waste was circulated last week and reported to the council.
It was taken on Burleigh Street and the image, according to Coun Steve Bullcock, represents an accurate portrayal of the state of some streets in his ward and he urged the council to take action on people whose waste is attracting vermin.
Kingstone’s fly-tipping figures - which topped 1,058 alone in 2023/24 - dwarf those of other wards in the borough, with the neighbouring Central ward being one of only three Barnsley areas to post more than 500 incidents in the financial year.
He told the Chronicle: “I am very determined to sort the fly-tipping problem out in Kingstone, but this image was taken in the Central ward which neighbours mine.
“When a resident sees five rats in one take at 2pm on a broad daylight afternoon on Burleigh Street, we are clearly heading for serious challenges and health problems in our town.
“These are two fly-tipping hotspots, as the figures show, but there appears to be absolutely zero improvement.
“Now there are rats the size of a cat present but what makes it more concerning is that Barnsley Council are more than aware of the ongoing problems.
“This is a fast-developing health and safety situation and I would be grateful to know what the plans are to resolve this long-standing problem.
“The image was taken at 2pm on a Friday afternoon - imagining the state of the area during the night-time hours really does not bear thinking about.”
In Barnsley, most of last year’s 4,404 fly-tipping incidents were discovered on council land, accounting for 34 per cent of recorded incidents, followed by 29 per cent in alleyways.
The largest proportion of discarded waste was household waste, making up 57 per cent of all incidents, leading the council to hike fines to anyone caught.
Coun James Higginbottom, cabinet spokesperson for environment and highways, said: “It is unacceptable that individuals take it upon themselves to blight our local areas with fly-tipping.
“The increase in the maximum penalty for fly-tipping and other environmental offences allows us to take stronger action against offenders.
“I encourage members of the public to report any instances of fly-tipping so we can continue to target and punish those who commit these crimes in our borough.”
