‘Magnet for fly-tipping’ leaving residents disgusted

A junction with a public bin in Oldham has become a ‘magnet for fly-tipping’ creating a ‘disgusting’ eyesore, according to locals.

The intersection of Napier Street West and Coppice Street has become an ‘unofficial tip’, with piles of black bags dumped between a council waste bin and a clothes donation box. 

Residents are calling for the bins to be removed in the hopes it would discourage illegal fly-tippers. 

Addy Shan, who lives close to the site, said: “This bin needs removing. It’s become a magnet for fly-tipping, mostly caused by local residents dumping their rubbish here instead of disposing of it properly.

“Every time I pass, there are black bags and household waste left around it. This shouldn’t be happening, but the bin’s presence is clearly encouraging the behaviour and turning the area into an unofficial tip.” 

The issue has been taking place for more than four months, he added to the LDRS. 

“As soon as the council clean it up, it’s there again,” he said. “It’s disgusting and brings the whole area down.”

Other locals also shared their anger at the constant littering, with one guessing people dispose of extra household waste there ‘because they know the council will pick it up’.

Fly-tipping is against the law and perpetrators can be fined £400 on the spot if caught red-handed, or an unlimited fine set by a court if prosecuted later on. 

Councillor Elain Taylor, Deputy Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, did not confirm whether the council has plans to remove the bin, but said the council is taking action to fight the scourge of fly-tipping that has hit the borough over the last year. 

Cllr Taylor said: “We understand the frustration this would cause for residents living nearby. Fly-tipping is illegal and blights neighbourhoods, and diverts valuable council resources away from other frontline services.

“We have recently relaunched our Don’t Trash Oldham campaign for a cleaner, greener borough. We are working hand-in-hand with our communities to bring pride back to our neighbourhoods including clearing alleyways, tackling fly-tipping.

“By working together, we can help keep our streets clean, safe and welcoming for everyone.”