A TOP government minister and former leader of Bradford Council has waded into a row over tip permits.

Communities Secretary, Eric Pickles, has said Bradford Council must sort out its differences with Leeds Council to stop Menston residents having to travel miles to use a tip instead of one right on their doorstep.

Mr Pickles, a former Bradford Council Leader, condemned the move and said he always enjoyed a good relationship with his Leeds counterparts during his time in office. The comments came as Shipley MP Philip Davies asked for intervention for his constituents forced to travel miles across the district to dispose of waste and recycling after Leeds tightened up restrictions on who can use their waste sites.

He said: “Ellar Ghyll is just inside the boundary of Leeds Council but it is right next to my constituents and is heavily used by them. Leeds Council are happy to continue with a reciprocal arrangement with Bradford Council but Bradford refuse to do so, meaning my constituents are going to have to go past a tip next door to them to go miles away, which will undoubtedly lead to more fly-tipping.”

Mr Davies asked Local Government Secretary Mr Pickles to intervene and “knock some heads together” to stop what he said was a ridiculous decision by the Labour-run council.

Leeds is introducing resident permits for waste sites as it claims it is had no choice following the move by Bradford, Kirklees and Wakefield.

Mr Pickles said: “This is about ensuring the public receive a good and decent service. When I was leader of Bradford I enjoyed a very harmonious relationship with Leeds and I hope those relations can be quickly resolved.”