Huge pile of fly-tipped rubbish in middle of estate is 'stuff of nightmares'

05 January 2024 , 16:25

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Alan Johnson pictured by the rubbish (Image: No credit)

Residents have hit out over a disgusting pile of fly-tipped rubbish on a housing estate which has become "the stuff of nightmares".

The waste, including shopping trolleys, plastic bottles and rotting food, was dumped in an alleyway between Back Willows Lane South and Back Dijon Street in Bolton.

And Alan Johnson, a local resident and Green Party council candidate, who lives in the area says it was a shock when he saw how bad it had become. "I had not driven by for a number of weeks and went to have a look on Sunday. It is the stuff of nightmares," he said.

He added that despite weekly litter-picking rounds, the waste keeps piling up. Alan continued: "[There are] not many fly tips especially in the area, but once people start doing [it], other people do it. Then it gets to the point if it is not moved they continue to do so."

Johnson has called on the council to install CCTV cameras to catch the culprits. He said: "I want to know if it would be possible for CCTV cameras in that location. What residents want is to find out who the culprits are." The situation is taking a toll on the locals, with Johnson stating: "It is soul-destroying having to put up with that."

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He believes that councillors should educate people about proper waste disposal. He said: "Councillors should educate people on what they can do, can't do and shouldn't do, and support them to get on top of it. There are a lot of black bin bags. The council could send up a team to scan through the bags [and] see if they can find information about the people who are doing it."

The pile of rubbish is on a housing estate in Bolton (No credit)

Local resident Mia Ahmadi expressed her worries about walking her dog near the rubbish dump, fearing her pet might consume some of the decaying waste. She said: "It is awful because I have got a dog and she loves walking. Every time we come past here I have to keep her away, as she eats anything and definitely can't eat any of it."

"I want them to clean it up and for it to stay clean. CCTV would definitely be good, so we can see who is doing it. I have reported it going back months." A spokesperson for Bolton Council stated that they were looking into the illegal waste dumping issue and had already handed out £3,000 in fines.

Plastic bottles and rotting food was among the waste (No credit)

They said: "A request has been made for a clean up to take place. Unfortunately, this area is a fly-tipping hotspot. We are investigating this incident to find those responsible. On a recent occasion, we issued fines totalling £3,000 for fly-tipping offences in this area."

This follows the council's crackdown on fly-tipping in the area last month, which resulted in thousands of pounds in fines being issued. A three-day clean-up operation by the local council's cleaning team and enforcement officers took place from December 6 to December 8.

The rubbish, including mattresses, sofas and fencing, was found dumped around Dijon Street, Daisy Street and Croston Street. Over the course of the three days, 13 people and three businesses were caught for fly-tipping offences and given fines. Bolton Council has been contacted for further comment.

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Tim Hanlon