Borough-wide tidying campaign continues as problem fly-tipping areas targeted

29 residential hotspots will be the focus for intensive engagement

Local Authority Environmental teams have begun work in parts of Oldham to help spruce up the borough.

As part of the Council's 'Don't Trash Oldham' campaign, teams have been deployed to St James and Waterhead as part of a new 'betterment' initiative, with the aim of supporting communities to look after their neighbourhoods.

Staff have been planting Spring flowering bulbs, removing overgrown grass from footpaths, getting rid of algae from seating and street signs, and rejuvenating shrub beds.

The initiative will be rolled out across the town over the next 12 months.

Following discussions with local councillors and residents, priority will be given to jobs identified as important to the community

The Council say they will look at other requests for improvements, such as playground markings in alleys and the planting of greenery and wildflower meadows - but only if budgets allow.

Councillor Amanda Chadderton, Leader of Oldham Council, said: “The first year of Don’t Trash Oldham was a real success.

“Our staff, residents and partner organisations cleaned up communities and made a real difference.

“Through our betterment campaign we want to build on that good work and deliver a cleaner and greener borough by carrying out jobs that some people might think are small but can make a real difference to the look of our communities.”

As part of the 'Don't Trash Oldham' campaign, 38 hotspot areas have been identified, where more than 60 per cent of fly-tipping incidents were reported. Of these, 29 are residential hotspots, which will be the focus for intensive engagement, enforcement and interventions by officers.

CCTV cameras have been installed in other areas in the borough to monitor fly tipping.

Cllr Chadderton added: “We need our communities to work with us to keep the areas where they live and work clean and report people who blight them so we can take action.”

You can report environmental crimes at www.oldham.gov.uk/donttrasholdham

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