Fight on to halt new tip proposal

MPs and councillors have combined to fight plans to open a new tip on green belt land in Bardsley.

The former colliery in Coal Pit Lane was identified last month as a site which could take residual waste — the rubbish left when all the recycling has been carried out — for Greater Manchester.

But David Heyes, MP for Failsworth and Hollinwood, is urging as many people as possible to object.

Along with Failsworth East Councillor James McMahon, Mr Heyes is leading a campaign to halt the Greater Manchester waste proposal.

He said: “The massive new tip would stretch across hundreds of acres of open land between Bardsley and Crime Lake.

“If approved, tipping could start in 2012, last for more than 10 years, and fleets of wagons would ferry in rubbish from far and wide.

“This is a crazy idea and we cannot stand by while Oldham gets dumped on by the rest of Greater Manchester.

“Coal Pit Lane is in the green belt and we need to fight to keep what little open space we have.

“If they get away with this plan then no bit of green belt can be considered safe.

“Oldham Council must be forced to object to this plan with the same enthusiasm they show when objecting to tips in Saddleworth.”

Fellow Labour MP Michael Meacher, who represents Oldham West and Royton, has also written to the Greater Manchester Geological Unit, which is co-ordinating objections, to add his opposition.

He said: “This is a significant part of the Medlock Valley Country Park. This serves as a major green lung in a densely populated location.

“There are public rights of way across the site which is locally important for nature conservation.

“The visual impact would be immense, not only locally, but would be seen from a significant distance away.”

Local roads have height and width restrictions, there are two near-by primary schools as well as a number of other health and safety issues, he added.