Pile of trouble

NIGHTMARE . . . Norma Miller with the pile of rubbish

4 More Image(s) In Gallery

OLDHAM Council is investigating after "a horrendous" quantity of rubbish was dumped in Royton.

An 84-year-old widow who lives nearby said she was "appalled" at the sight of the fly-tipped waste at a site which she and her family had worked hard to maintain.

With the help of family members Norma Miller of Low Crompton Road had planted trees and built a fish pond at the top of the lane for public use.

But she said huge household items including settees, mattresses and children's toys have been discarded just off Low Crompton Road which are "ruining their efforts."

Norma, whose son owns the land where the rubbish was fly-tipped, said: "It is appalling that someone has dumped all of this rubbish.

"My son phoned Oldham Council to complain.

"In years gone by they used to move it but because it is private land they said it is our responsibility to clean it.

"They have uncovered addresses from the tip but they said it could take weeks to prosecute."

John Miller complained to Oldham Council about the "tip" near the ponds at the top of Low Crompton Road.

Under law, local authorities are not bound to remove waste left on private land. It is the landowner's responsibility to clean it up - and pay for it.

However, Oldham Council responded to the complaint by visiting the site and have so far carried out a preliminary investigation.

Evidence was found by enforcement officers who attended the site which could lead to prosecution.

Norma, who moved to her Royton home six years ago, said: "Years ago the council used to move the rubbish. The last time this happened was two years ago. There is no way I can afford to shift this.

"It is horrendous. There are settees, bicycles, mattresses and bags and bags of rubbish.

"It used to be so beautiful and everybody appreciated it. People walked their dogs up there but now it is a tip."

Fly-tipping is punishable by an unlimited fine and up to five years imprisonment if the case reaches Crown Court.

Councillor Barbara Brownridge, cabinet member for neighbourhoods and cooperatives, said: "Our enforcement officers have visited the site and it is private land. The landowner was on site when we visited and he is removing the rubbish himself.

"We do not remove waste left on private land as it is the landowner's responsibility but we do investigate and whilst at the site we identified evidence which could help us prosecute the person responsible."