Crackdown on litterbug scourge in Wigan community

Coun Paul Blay, who represents Hindley, urged people to bin their rubbish and to respect the area in which they live.

He was speaking after volunteers carried out a litter-pick and noticed that all the areas they covered had bins nearby.

Coun Blay said: “Unfortunately there was plenty of work for them to do.

“It’s so disappointing that some people do not respect our town and feel it’s okay to dispose of their rubbish in this way.

“What is even more annoying is all the areas we worked in today have litter bins nearby.”

The litter pick saw residents split up into four teams and cover four separate areas, including Borsdane Woods, Hindley Cemetery, North Rayner Park and South Rayner Park.

It was organised by Borsdane and Rayner Park Friends Group and Friends of Hindley Cemetery.

Coun Blay said: “I was happy to take part in a socially-distanced litter-pick organised by Dave Hanbury and Kerry Garforth.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Dave, Kerry and all our marvelous volunteers.

“They all worked so hard and showed true community spirit and pride in our town.”

And over the years, like with a lot of communities, litter has been a problem for Hindley and Hindley Green, and it has seen public-spirited locals take matters into their own hands.

In 2019, resident James Palmer built a cart and headed out to do his own clear-ups after becoming so fed up with seeing his local streets covered in litter.

This saw him constructing a waste collection device out of recycled objects including a second-hand golf trolley from a charity shop and part of a Victorian safe.

People found littering will be fined £120, which is reduced to £65 if paid within 14 days.

Failure to pay the penalty within the time frame will result in prosecution and a maximum fine of £2,500.

To report an issue, search for rubbish and litter problems on Wigan Council’s website.