Brazen tippers a real menace, say councillors

A pair of councillors have hit out at remorseless fly-tippers who dumped waste - including an old couch - at a infamous litter hot-spot.
WIGAN  15-03-17]
from left, Coun John Hilton and Coun George Davies next to rubbish which has been fly-tipped, on Co-op Street, off Platt Lane, Wigan.WIGAN  15-03-17]
from left, Coun John Hilton and Coun George Davies next to rubbish which has been fly-tipped, on Co-op Street, off Platt Lane, Wigan.
WIGAN 15-03-17] from left, Coun John Hilton and Coun George Davies next to rubbish which has been fly-tipped, on Co-op Street, off Platt Lane, Wigan.

Couns George Davies and John Hilton are urging residents to shop offenders to the authorities after the outbreak on Coop Street in Scholes.

Among the items dumped last week was a dozen bags of industrial waste weeks after the council imposed a limit on how much non-household waste can be left at council run recycling centres.

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It also comes as the borough is set to move to a three week bin collection rota, a decision sparking fears it could exacerbate fly-tipping problems.

Labour Wigan Central’s Coun Davies said: “Over the years this site that lies across from Wynsors shoes has been hit by fly-tippers who have dumped carpets, electrical wire, televisions and furniture.

“I have contacted the council’s environment team to look at this site again to see if action can be taken.

“Needles have been found in the nearby wooded area and we’re advising children and pets to stay away.”

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The town hall said it was investigating the Scholes site, which is privately owned, and reiterated tackling fly-tipping remains a top priority.

Karl Battersby, Wigan Council’s director of economy and environment, said: “Fly-tipping is a blight on our communities and annually costs the council £800,000 which equates to nearly one per cent council tax.

“Through The Deal, by residents not fly-tipping and recycling their waste correctly we can keep council tax low.

“We need residents to help us by reporting incidents and hotspots so we can carry out enforcement action and catch offenders.”

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Labour representative for Aspull, New Springs Coun John Hilton told the Observer: “It is important every resident doesn’t tolerate it, when you see this terrible act please report it.”

Residents can report flytipping incidents via the Report It app or online at www.wigan.gov.uk/reportit