'No choice' but to cut off fly-tipper paradise

Local resident, Kevin Geany, claims Oldham council has blocked access to the car park at the back of Hollinwood cemetery due to problems with fly tipping, which means no one can access the car park. Pic shows, Kevin with his two Shihtzu dogs, Jasper, (left) and Jamie, (right).

A FLY-TIPPING scourge at a car park in Hollinwood has left Oldham Council with no other choice but to block it off.

The Chronicle reported in February this year how fly-tipping was blighting the makeshift car park off Limeside Road near Hollinwood Cemetery, which is also used by children playing and as a short cut for walkers.

Incidents have seen an asbestos garage, garden waste, fridges and freezers, among other things, dumped at the site.

Kevin Geany (79), who lives in Chamber Road, contacted the Chronicle after seeing council workmen blocking off the entrance to the car park with two large boulders.

He said: "I used it at least once a day. I park there and take my dogs out for a walk.

"There has been fly-tipping there at least once a fortnight. People just dump rubbish bags there. On one occasion there was building stuff on it. The council cleaned it up of course.

"But it's not fair. There's nowhere else to park. You can park on the road but there's a bend so it would be a traffic obstruction.

"There are now stone boulders across the entrance so you can't drive across the car park.

"I'm at a loss. Should we have to suffer because of vandals? It's law-abiding citizens who are suffering again because of the actions of a few mindless people."

Cllr Jean Stretton, leader of Oldham Council, said there was no other choice but to block off the entrance of the car park to stop fly-tipping.

She said: "This area is not a public car park but is used by children playing and as a short cut for walkers.

"Unfortunately over the last few months myself, other ward members and Oldham Council have received numerous complaints from residents who live in the immediate area about fly-tipping.

"On several occasions the council has had to clear substantial amounts of dumped industrial waste. On one occasion this included potentially hazardous waste, all of which costs council taxpayers."