Deadly asbestos roof dumped by fly-tippers

ASBESTOS corrugated roofing tied to a trolley and dumped along with a toilet

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ASBESTOS was dumped at a lay-by, barely a week after someone fly-tipped photocopies of passports and driving licences at the same site.

The asbestos corrugated roof was seen by concerned drivers at a lay-by on Huddersfield Road on Wednesday morning, although the tippers had kindly parcelled it up.

The use of asbestos declined in the 1970s after it emerged that it could be extremely hazardous.

Its fibres are microscopic and are easily inhaled. Once inhaled they cling to the respiratory system, including the lining of the lungs and inner cavity tissue.

They can cause scarring of the lungs and are linked to respiratory diseases and cancer.

Investigation

The lay-by is becoming a hot spot for fly-tipping.

The Chronicle reported how last week someone had discarded rubbish at the same lay-by.

Among the clutter were photocopies of passports, driving licences, citizens' cards and council tax bills.

An Oldham Council officer is investigating the latest fly-tipping and will report it to Environmental Services for removal.

Speaking about last week's fly-tipping, Helen Lockwood, executive director of economy, skills and neighbourhoods at Oldham Council, said: "Thankfully, the vast majority do not fly-tip but for this problem to go away we need the selfish few to stop.

"Remember, it's not the council dumping the waste. It's your neighbour or someone coming from outside leaving a blight in your area or street.

"We need residents to continue to work with us to catch fly-tippers and we will investigate and prosecute them if there is evidence."

You can report fly-tipping or the dumping of waste via the online form on oldham.gov.uk/ or by calling 0161-770 2244.