Prime Minster orders illegal waste dump in Bradford to be cleaned up
Last updated 20th Aug 2026
The Prime Minster has ordered a massive illegal waste dump in Bradford to be cleaned up.
The site, off Midland Road and near Valley Parade, was discovered earlier this year.
It's part of a wider crackdown on waste sites - which will see fines of up to £5,000 for dumping rubbish illegally.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said:
“These toxic dumps have blighted communities for too long. I said we would clean them up – and that’s exactly what we’re announcing today.
“The days of making easy money out of waste are over. We’re giving authorities the powers to hunt down the people responsible. We will seize their assets and shut their operations down.
“These mountains of rubbish have been a clear sign to communities that politics hasn’t been working for them or their area. This government is going to tackle the issues that have been ignored by Westminster for too long and bring back hope.”
Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle said:
“This isn't just about people dumping rubbish. Large-scale waste sites are fuelled by serious, organised crime, and we need to use the full force of the law to tackle it and root it out at source.
"Communities have been subjected to horrendous conditions and denied the pride they deserve in the places they call home. This ends now.
"We are cleaning up sites, but we are also stopping the cycle, driving faster prevention and disruption, better intelligence, and stronger coordination across the system.”
Kimberley MacPherson, Environment Agency Area Director for Yorkshire, said:
“We welcome the commitment from the Government to assess the Midland Road illegal waste site for clearance.
“This will bring reassurance to the local community which, over the summer, has been unfairly impacted by the offensive and unacceptable illegal waste activity.
“We acted quickly to prevent further dumping, have seized a vehicle involved, and an investigation to trace those responsible is ongoing.
"We will not tolerate waste crime, and those involved will pay the price for the impact they have on our communities."
Leader of Bradford Council, Cllr Stephen Place said:
“Giving local leaders a greater role in tackling waste crime means decisions can be driven by those who understand the challenges on the ground.
“Communities deserve to feel proud of the places they live, and waste criminals have no place in our neighbourhoods.
“Through stronger partnership working, better intelligence sharing and targeted enforcement, we will step up the fight against waste criminals and deliver safer, cleaner communities.
“Our message is clear – there will be nowhere to hide for those who blight our communities for personal gain.”