Football fans 'throw litter into residents' gardens' on way to Bradford City home games
CONCERNS have been raised about football fans “throwing rubbish into gardens” on the way to watch Bradford City matches.
Manningham Councillor Muhammad Haseeb Khan (Bradford Independent Group) said numerous residents who live in and around the club’s Valley Parade grounds had contacted him about littering related to home games.
He raised the matter at a meeting of Bradford Council’s Bradford West Area Committee, when he was told the Council regularly liaises with the club to make plans for clean ups after major games.
At Wednesday’s meeting the panel were given an annual update on the work of the Council’s street cleansing service in the constituency.
Catherine Smith, from the Parks and Cleansing Service, told members: “There has been no substantial increase in fly tipping in the past year. Levels have remained consistent since 2024.”
Councillor Nazam Azam (Lab, City) said: “They have remained consistent, but they are consistently unacceptable.”
Mrs Smith said while the Council will respond to reports of fly tipping and litter as soon as possible, the problem could only be solved when residents “took ownership” of their neighbourhoods by disposing of waste responsibly and reporting any issues like fly tipping.
The team also deals with litter issues, and Cllr Khan said there was a big link between litter in parts of Manningham and Bradford City home games.
Bradford City’s Mbanq Stadium sits in the heart of Manningham, and many football fans travel down Manningham Lane on their way to the grounds from Bradford city centre.
Some routes take them through residential streets.
Cllr Khan said: “During football season Manningham Lane falls victim to littering by Bradford City fans.
“You talk about residents taking ownership of their area, but residents in the side streets say football fans are throwing rubbish into their gardens.
“It is difficult to take ownership of what is happening in your area when it is not your fault.
“Does the Council have any extra measures in place during matches.”
Mrs Smith said: “We regularly have meetings with Bradford City, and there is work that has already started on this.
“We do have a plan for big games but we can’t have a plan for every game, every match. We’re looking at other options such as larger capacity bins.”
She told members the service aimed to clear fly tipping within 24 hours of receiving a report.
Other street cleansing reports, such as large amounts of litter, would have a five day turn around.