Asbestos in waste fly-tipped near York to Selby path

Michael Duxbury JP, who lives in Deighton, discovered the rubbish over the weekend of May 16 and 17 while walking his dog in Naburn Lane, just off the A19 in the village near the York to Selby cycle path popular with families and children.

The illegal dumping was reported by Mr Duxbury and by ward councillor Christian Vassie and contractors from City of York Council covered the area with tarpaulin.

City of York Council said it was at the site on Monday, May 18 conducting a search of the waste and investigations have opened.

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Mr Duxbury, 80, said: “This is a disgraceful act by someone who wants to avoid paying for disposal.

“I believe in protecting the outdoors and in doing something about this irresponsible criminality.

“We used to be better than this.

“I have come across it in different parts of York, where my wife and I still walk extensively.

“I think it’s a general malaise.”

As reported by The Press, it comes after York has seen 1,150 fly-tipping incidents from January to April in 2026 – a six per cent increase from the same period in 2025.

Mr Duxbury is former senior legal officer at Leeds City Council until 1988 and said his section would occasionally be instructed to prosecute this type of offence, along with other departments who held sweeping powers.

He said: “With this type of fly-tipper you would always try to find identification.

“If you’re going to do something about it you have got to investigate.

“However, if there’s any power to prosecute it’s going to cost the taxpayer money to do so.”

Wheldrake ward councillor Christian Vassie said it is “tragic that criminals are willing to destroy the environment just to save the few quid for taking the rubbish to a council tip.” (Image: Councillor Christian Vassie)

Wheldrake ward councillor Christian Vassie said: “It is tragic that in this country criminals are willing to destroy our own environment like this, just to save the few quid charge for taking the rubbish to a council tip.

“Doubly worrying is the presence of asbestos in this fly-tipped waste.

“This is at the end of a footpath used by villagers and their dogs and children.

“I am glad that council officers are investigating and already have an idea of who is responsible.

“The community will hope that the perpetrators are caught and that CCTV will dissuade others from doing the same thing on other rural roads across York and beyond.”

A spokesperson for City of York Council said: “We can confirm neighbourhood enforcement officers attended the site on Monday (May 18) and conducted a safe search.

“Following this, the fly tip was reported for clearing along with a notification of the presence of asbestos. 

“Investigations are continuing and we’d like to remind readers that fly-tipping penalties (under s33 Environmental Protection Act 1990) carry a Fixed Penalty of £1,000 (reduced to £500 if paid within ten days).

“If prosecuted and convicted further penalties are available to the court including up to £50,000 in fines and 12 months imprisonment.”