Action on litter in Oldham as council hands out 133 fines for fly-tipping

Councillors, residents, voluntary groups and organisations across Oldham will be doing their bit to tackle litter and fly-tipping by taking part in the Great British Spring Clean (May 28 to June 13).

This is the ideal opportunity for people to clear up the waste that blights our districts, villages, parks and countryside

Councillor Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council, said: "The council and our staff are committed to keeping the borough clean and our street cleaners do a fantastic job – they are out seven days a week in all weathers – but as a council we can always look to do more.

"When we speak to residents the recurring issues they bring up are litter, fly-tipping and how they want to see clean streets.

"As council leader I’ve taken those comments on board.

"That’s why we’ll now be investing more money in our street cleaning and environmental teams.

"Since January we’ve given out 133 fines for fly-tipping, and there are more cases in the pipeline, so the extra funding will also help us continue our strong action against those who blight our streets with fly tipping and litter.

"But this isn’t a one-way street – it’s not the council littering and dumping the rubbish.

"A small minority in our communities and neighbourhoods, plus people from outside the borough, continue to think they can just dump waste and leave the council, our partners and other residents to clear up the mess.  It's not on.

“That’s why campaigns like the Great British Spring Clean are not just about picking up litter. It’s also about sending a clear message to those who drop litter and dump waste: it’s not acceptable, report it to us and if we find evidence then we will take action.”

One of the local groups which has signed up to take part in the spring clean is the Street Scene Greenfield Group (SSGG)

Part of Greenfield & Grasscroft Residents Association, the street group was set up to keep the area clean, tidy and looking nice for visitors.

Peter Lowe, Coordinator for SSGG, said: "We want everyone to take pride in this lovely village and its beautiful surroundings.

"We want residents and visitors of all ages to enjoy their time here which is why we devote time and energy to help keep the area clean and tidy.”

The group will be carrying out a litter pick on May 29.

Among other groups taking part in the campaign are Barker Street residents, MyColdhurst and Ghazali Trust/Clean Glodwick.

Councillor Amanda Chadderton, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “It’s great that these groups all regularly doing their bit and helping to clean up the borough.

"As councillors we’ll be looking to looking to hold regular clean ups in our areas to continue the momentum created by the Great British Spring Clean because cleaning up our communities costs residents and the council hundreds of thousands of pounds each year.

"The vast majority of people take pride in their communities and keep them clean and tidy. Don’t tolerate people ruining your areas with rubbish."

District Teams from Oldham council can loan out equipment to community groups who are organising litterpicks.  For more information, contact environmental.services@oldham.gov.uk.  The council will also remove bagged litter after an organised group litterpick

To report issues to the council click here. 

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