A foul-smelling incident that locals believe is the result of a vehicle transporting animal by-products has prompted an Environmental Health investigation.
Animal waste was reportedly spilled on Beacon Road in Wibsey on August 11, leaving parts of the BD6 area blanketed in a strong odour.
A resident and business owner said the smell made the area unbearable and was driving customers away.
Other residents took to social media to complain, suggesting these type of vehicles normally take backroads and country lanes, avoiding the high street.
One resident claimed the spillage had left residue on her car.
A resident and business owner told the T&A that Beacon Road residents were "left to suffer... a horrific smell that has taken over the entire area."
He also felt the incident may affect his barbershop business.
He claims that just before 11am on August 11, a vehicle he believes carries abattoir waste products "dropped waste".
He said: "For days, residents and business owners have been forced to breathe in a stench so strong it makes people gag.
"My barber shop - a business I’ve built with pride - is now losing customers because people simply cannot sit inside without feeling sick.
"I cannot work properly, and the community is being ignored. We deserve better.
"Bradford Council must act immediately before this becomes a long-term health and economic issue for Beacon Road."
It's not clear who is responsible
Omega Proteins, which operates a site in Thornton rendering animal by-products unfit for consumption, said that it did not have a vehicle in the area at that time.
The company responded to the incident by sending a clean-up vehicle.
The clean-up truck in action
(Image: Submitted)
A spokesperson for Omega Proteins said: "There are multiple companies that deliver and collect from this abattoir and the registration of the vehicle is unclear.
"We have consulted our telematics and did not have a company vehicle in the area at that time.
"However, upon learning of the spillage, we immediately dispatched a clean up team which involves an industrial road sweeper along with disinfecting the entire road."
The company emphasised that the safe and responsible collection of animal by-products is essential to public health and environmental safety, and said it remains committed to maintaining a positive relationship with the community.
They added: "We fully recognise the impact that incidents of spillage or odour can have on local residents and do not seek to diminish their concerns.
"We urge residents to report any odour complaints or spillages to us directly and we will continue to provide the resources to rectify them, regardless of liability."
Environmental Health are looking into the incident
Bradford Council is aware of the incident and its Environmental Health team is investigating.
Cllr Ian Walker, Executive Member for Neighbourhoods and Communities, said: “Our cleansing team is taking action to deal with this spillage and the incident has also been passed to our Environmental Health Team to investigate so that they can establish whether any enforcement action needs to be taken.”
The local business owner has since confirmed that on August 13, a clean up vehicle has visited the area to cleanse the road.