Hordes with their litter return to Stainforth

Social distancing guidelines appeared to be ignored by many of those who were having barbecues.

The ongoing littering at the beauty spot, coupled with parking issues along the narrow roads has been blasted by district councillor Richard Welch.

His comments come after Settle woman Emma Lonsdale spent until 10pm on Sunday collecting yet more bags of rubbish which people had left over the weekend. She had collected several bags of litter only a few days before.

She said someone had collected some bags and left them near the road on Saturday, but someone else had put a hot barbecue on top and set some of it alight.

Her sentiments were echoed by another Settle woman, Steph Carr, who had taken photographs of hordes of visitors as well as dangerously cars, many on double yellow lines.

Cllr Welch said: “This is the worst I have ever seen the foss. I will be making representation to the Civil Parking Enforcement team as to their lack of action with ticketing when hundreds of cars are parking illegally on the Settle to Horton Road and also on the narrow lane leading to the foss. Emergency services couldn’t get through if needed. I have been up there hundreds of times yet I have never seen it so bad with litter.Why oh why they carry all the stuff there but can’t take the litter home is beyond me.? But a big shout out to Emma, Gillian and Stephen and others who have tirelessly picked it all up. They don’t know how much we, the public, appreciate their sterling efforts.”

Councillor Carl Lis, Craven District Council’s lead member for Greener Craven, said: “It is shocking to see how much litter has been left in our beautiful countryside over the weekend.

“We urge people to respect our communities and our land, to think ahead if they are travelling for recreation, and to be prepared to take their rubbish home with them.

“We would like to thank all those responsible, community-minded residents who have been doing their bit to help.”