TWO more incidents of asbestos fly-tipping have happened in the Yorkshire Dales.

Craven District Council is investigating after asbestos material was dumped at Old Mill Lane, off Hebden Road in Grassington, and at Conistone Bridge, between Conistone and Kilnsey, last Friday.

The incidents follow another a few weeks ago when heaps of asbestos was fly-tipped on hills above Hetton, again in the National Park.

Craven District Council’s Cleaner Neighbourhood Team is investigating the incidents and is asking for any witnesses to come forward.

Asbestos can cost more than £1,000 to clean up as it needs to be removed by specialists, due to the toxic fibres in the material. Council officers are keen for any evidence to identify the culprits so they can take action.

Paul Ellis, Director of Services at Craven District Council, said: “There have been a number of incidents of asbestos fly-tipping in Craven recently – someone must know who is doing this. Fly-tipping this material is extremely irresponsible and dangerous; asbestos is a toxic material and must be disposed of correctly.

“Fly-tipping also costs taxpayers money and ruins our beautiful countryside. If you have any information or evidence as to who is doing this, please contact us as soon as possible.”

Anybody with any information about the fly-tipped asbestos is asked to contact Craven District Council’s Cleaner Neighbourhoods Team on 01756 700600.

When removing asbestos from their own home, householders can dispose of it at the Household Waste Recycling Centre on Harrogate Road, Skipton. The asbestos needs to be double wrapped in thick plastic sheeting such as damp proof membrane. More information is available here: https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/asbestos However many people choose to use a contractor to remove the waste due to the hazardous nature of the material. All householders who want to hire an asbestos removal contractor should check that they are a registered waste carrier. This can be done on the Environmental Agency’s public register: https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register They must also ask to see the contractor’s asbestos licence; this allows them to handle asbestos and to dispose of it at a registered amenity site. You can also check that contractor has an asbestos licence here: https://webcommunities.hse.gov.uk/connect.ti/asbestos.licensing Penalties for environmental crimes can vary but do include fines of up to £50,000 and/or up to 12 months imprisonment.

Craven District Council recently successfully prosecuted a fly-tipper after he was caught on CCTV cameras dumping rubbish in a layby.

Stuart Robinson, 54, of Dracup Road, Bradford, admitted the offence and was fined a total of £658 including costs. Robinson was caught on camera fly-tipping several bags of rubbish on land at a layby near Priors Lane, Skipton, on the A59.