Pub landlord praises his ‘snow saviours’

A SADDLEWORTH landlord today praised a dedicated team of snow saviours who have cleared refuse from his isolated pub.

Rubbish from Christmas and New Year festivities was piling up at the ancient Church Inn on the outskirts of Uppermill.

And worried innkeeper Julian Taylor was concerned conventional waste-collection vehicles could not reach the snowbound property. But a huge tractor with a hydraulic shovel towing a trailer, provided by Oldham Council, came to his rescue.

“They were a smashing team of lads who came from the council,” said the 43-year-old, father of four. “They had been diverted from their jobs in parks, gardens and cemeteries to help reduce the backlog of rubbish.

“Our bins were filled to overflowing and we had lots of additional rubbish bags, too — but they made short work of the problem.

“I have nothing but praise for the council’s initiative — particularly as they are so hard-pressed battling to keep roads open and face other travel issues.

“It really is a job well done — they are my snow saviours.”

Mike Rooke, secretary of the Greenfield and Grasscroft Residents’ Association, was concerned some rubbish had not been collected from houses for a month.

“However, we do appreciate the council are doing their best, particularly with such a tight budget. But with more snow forecast there are still worries,” he said.

Meanwhile, Denshaw, Saddleworth’s most isolated village, has agreed to Oldham Council parking a rubbish-collection vehicle on the Denshaw Village Hall car park during the snowy weather.

Councillor Alan Roughley, chairman of Denshaw Community Association, congratulated the council’s efforts.

He said: “We have readily agreed to Oldham Council parking a vehicle at the village hall so householders who cannot be safely reached by the normal refuse wagons can get rid of Christmas waste.

“This is a great practical suggestion, aimed at helping those who live in the more difficult to reach parts of Saddleworth.

“It is easy to forget that normal waste-collection vehicles find it near impossible to drive safely on icy farm tracks.

“I praise Oldham Council staff for their initiative in providing this help at a time when they are fully stretched.”

Councillor Mark Alcock, cabinet member for the environment and infrastructure, said six tractors with trailers had been deployed to tackle the rubbish collection problem.

“We we have not had any day when the refuse and recycling crews have not been able to get out. They have had problems with some areas and have not been able to collect on the normal days but are going back and collecting as soon as possible.

“It is gratifying to know the public appreciate our teams’ efforts in such difficult circumstances.”