Flytippers put lives in danger

The flytipped rubbish dumped at Cherwell Avenue

A propane gas bottle was amongst tonnes of rubbish including timber, glass, rubble and a sofa removed from Cherwell Avenue prior to the free bonfire on 31 October. The gas bottle could have exploded and seriously injured spectators had the rubble been used for the bonfire.

It took two workers over a day and a half, and filled 19 skips, to clear the rubbish.

Mark Widdup, Director of Economy and Environment at Rochdale Council, said: “We respond to all reported incidents of flytipping, always attempt to obtain evidence from the waste and progress our investigations as far as possible in every case. Of the prosecutions we made last year, 100% of these resulted in a successful conviction.

“We encourage our residents to report all incidents of fly-tipping and have been making it easier to report by launching new, cheaper phone numbers and an online e-form.

“If anybody wishes to report fly-tipping, visit www.rochdale.gov.uk/forms or call 0300 303 8884.”