Rancid rubbish causes a stink

Reporter: Jacob Metcalf
Date published: 15 April 2016


MOUNTAINS of rotting rubbish have caused fury for Greenacres householders.

Many calls have been made to Oldham Council to remove mounds of waste in an alley at Raper Street, Greenacres. The filth — reeking of cat urine and faeces - attracts maggots, flies and mice and is believed to have been dumped by former tenants before they moved out.

Mother-of-two Lisa White said: “It was in the building on the other side of the ginnel initially. The tenants who lived there chucked everything out. I asked them if they were going to move it but nothing was done.

“Since then, I’ve been phoning the council, along with the other residents, but nothing has happened. It has flies, it stinks, it’s disgusting. There are mice, there are probably rats and there are rotting faeces. I can’t describe the smell, I have already had a maggot infestation from this lot of rubbish.

“What am I paying council tax for when they can’t be bothered to move it? I don’t see why I should pay to live like this.

“I always keep a clean garden but its smells so bad out there now and it’s dangerous.”

Ms White found her home invaded by maggots and her next door neighbour has endured a mouse infestation.

“The smell of cat urine and faeces is so strong, summer is coming up and you want to open the back door but you can’t because of the flies,” Ms White added. “Why don’t they find out where the people who started this live now and fine them?

“The council has known about it for eight weeks. When they want your money you have to do it there and then, but when you want them to do something you pay for, they take forever.”

An Oldham Council spokesman said: “We are aware of the tipping on Raper Street. The waste team will remove it shortly. If we can connect the rubbish to someone we will take action against them.”

He claimed the council only became aware of the problem less than a week ago.