Litter and graffiti make Tong Street underpass feel 'unsafe'

Tong ward councillors have raised concerns about the subway on Tong Street, near the Dudley Hill roundabout.

And one says the issue has only got worse since it was raised earlier this year.

Councillor Ursula Sutcliffe (Green, Tong) asked Council bosses about the issue in January, and was told that although the subways were regularly cleared, keeping them graffiti free was “near impossible with current resources.”

The underpasses are the main route for pedestrians to cross the busy junctions of Tong Street, Wakefield Road, Rooley Lane and Sticker Lane.Councillor Matt Edwards in the underpass (Image: T&A)

Cllr Sutcliffe’s question to Council bosses said: “Councillors have reported graffiti and litter in the subway under Tong Street multiple times, when can we tell residents this will be cleared?

“In addition to this, will the portfolio holder tell me how and when subways are maintained and cleaned?

“We also have extensive damage, ASB and litter in subways on Wakefield Road, and Rooley Lane.”

The response from Council bosses said: “Street Scene have cleared the subways numerous times, but are finding trade waste from local businesses is being dumped on regular occasions which is being investigated.

Litter in the underpass (Image: T&A)

“We clean offensive graffiti from the subways in the first instance when reported via Council Contact or online. Clearing every element of the graffiti in subways is near impossible with current resources and would limit our resource in other areas more visible to members of the public.

Following on from the response, Cllr Sutcliffe said, “For many people that don’t drive, the subways around Tong Street, Wakefield Road and Rooley Lane are an important way to help them get across some of the busiest roads in the city. But the litter, graffiti and lack of lighting makes them feel very unsafe.

“It seems this is part of a wider issue with rubbish around the city. Not only do I receive messages about rubbish and fly tipping in our ward of Tong but from others around the city. The council need to be more proactive with this. I suggest after 2025 we focus on being the City of Cleanliness.”

The entrance to the underpass (Image: T&A)

Fellow Tong Councillor Matt Edwards (Green) said the issue of tipping in the area has continued.

He said large amounts of cardboard were dumped in the area last month but Bradford Council refused to remove this as the road is unadopted.

This was followed by fly-tipping from a house clearance.

Councillor Edwards said: “We need proper investment in enforcement cameras and for the fines the council collect to be reinvested in catching the perpetrators.”