CALLS for more to be done to stop fly-tipping have been made after a huge amount of waste was dumped in an area blighted by previous large-scale tips.
The area, on Network Rail land close to ASOS in Little Houghton, has been repeatedly hit by brazen tippers who have been dumping rubbish illegally at the site.
Darfield councillors Kevin Osborne and Pauline Markham have issued a strong challenge following yet another major incident of organised fly‑tipping this week.
Coun Osborne said that the waste is far beyond casual littering.
He told the Chronicle: “Residents, volunteers and council teams work incredibly hard to keep our communities clean.
“But organised fly‑tipping like this continues to blight areas such as Little Houghton.
“People are rightly angry, and they want to see real action.”
Councillors Osborne and Markham highlighted growing concerns among residents that the current national system for regulating waste carriers is not delivering the enforcement communities expect.
They noted that many people are now calling for the money raised from waste carrier licences - currently collected by the Environment Agency - to be brought back into local council budgets.
He added: “People are telling us they want to see that funding returned to councils, where it can be used directly to strengthen enforcement, support investigations, and help communities dealing with the consequences of environmental crime.
“Local authorities are on the frontline of this issue, and residents want resources placed where they can make the biggest difference.”
It comes just months after fly-tippers smashed through a gate before unloading tonnes of rubbish at EDF’s Park Spring Wind Farm in Great Houghton.
Estimated to be more than seven feet in height and about a tonne in weight, items with names and addresses were found in amongst the waste.
It resulted in the site being probed by owners EDF and the council - and new robotised security guards have since been installed to act as a deterrent.
That incident took place just a stone’s throw away from this week’s dumping.
Coun Osborne said will continue raising the issue with partners and pushing for a system that better supports communities facing persistent fly‑tipping.
He added: “Barnsley deserves better than this.
“We need a system that backs local people, not one that leaves them picking up the pieces.”
The Chronicle recently revealed a record-breaking £429,397 was spent by the council clearing up waste in 2025, an increase of more than £130,000 on the previous year.
Barnsley South MP Stephanie Peacock blasted fly-tippers’ attitudes.
“Cracking down on fly-tipping criminals is also crucial.
“If you pay someone to dispose of your waste, and they do so illegally, you can be charged for the crime.
“It is important therefore to familiarise yourself with what a legitimate waste carriers’ licence looks like, so that criminals cannot get away with dumping your rubbish without your consent.
“Fly-tipping is a blight on communities like Barnsley but, fortunately, solving it is in everyone’s best interests.
“With the right support from government, and the right changes across the country, there is no reason we can’t put an end to this terrible practice.”
A Network Rail spokesperson said: “This area, including the disused railway line section, is being converted into a biodiversity ecological corridor designed to help nature flourish and complement nearby green spaces.
“This makes instances such as this week’s fly-tipping all the more selfish and disgraceful.
“We’re grateful to those who reported this incident and are working on preventative measures for the site.
“Fly-tipping wreaks havoc on our railway and environment, preventing passengers from getting where they need to be on time and wrecking wildlife habitats.
“Network Rail works closely with local authorities to prevent this crime and prosecute those responsible.
“If you see someone fly-tipping, it’s imperative you report this to your council, Crimestoppers or British Transport Police.”
