Fly-tipper fined after council tip-off

AN eagle-eyed local who spotted building waste being fly-tipped in Coppice has been thanked for his public-spirited action.

The witness called Oldham Council’s Environmental Action Unit on January 27 when he saw the driver of a white van dump the waste in Park Street and noted the van’s number.

Officers traced the owner and have successfully prosecuted Stewart Hartley, of North View Close, Lydgate. He admitted being in control of a vehicle being used for carrying and unauthorised depositing of controlled waste and was fined £320 with £375 costs by Oldham magistrates.

Councillor Rod Blyth, Cabinet member for community safety and public protection, said: “I would like to thank the citizen who rather than doing nothing took action when they saw this offence taking place.”