Tip protesters to join forces

Alliance … Robert Knotts and Diane Bolan

Worried residents near two controversial quarries have formed groups to investigate tipping and environment issues.

The Birks Quarry Action Group, headed by Councillor Barbara Beeley met at the weekend.

Members plan to examine concerns surrounding a tipping permit application and take up issues with Oldham Council and the Environment Agency.

Meanwhile, Robert Knotts and Diane Bolan, members of the new action group, are urging those living near High Moor tip to join an anti-tip alliance.

Although the two sites face different environment issues, they are only a mile from each other.

The formation of the new group comes in the wake of a public meeting at Hey, attended by more than 150 residents.

Now, despite planning permission being granted for Birks Quarry, there is to be an urgent review surrounding the tipping permit application.

If the permit was granted, Royton-based Opengoal could tip up to 540,000 tonnes of inert waste, including rubble and builders materials, at the quarry.

Councillor Beeley said her team has been tasked with investigating specific issues and would report back their findings.

Mr Knotts said he and Mrs Bolan are organising plans for their own anti--tip alliance involving High Moor and Birks Quarry.

He said: “The composition of any new alliance should be decided by those who attended meeting at Hey about Birks Quarry.

“The quarries could have their own subsets of groups, together we can form an effective combined team. The objective is to come up with the best way of dealing with our common issues.”


Residents interested in joining the new anti-tip alliance, should e-mail Robert Knotts at: robert.knotts@btinternet.com