REAG says ‘we have lost respect for others and the area we live’

Henry Street and the back alley

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Members of the Rochdale Environmental Action Group cleaned Henry Street and the back alley on Saturday (22 February).

Ghulam Rasul Shahzad OBE, Secretary of REAG, said: "People had been throwing litter and rubbish in the back alley which had been there for weeks. The smell and the insects were becoming health hazard for the residents.

"There was mattress, bags full of domestic rubbish etc. but no one was taking responsibility.

“As a good neighbour, we should not do anything which annoys or offends our neighbours. Unfortunately, we have lost respect for others and the area we live.

“People come to the Milkstone Road and other commercial areas for food but, after eating it, throw their papers, cans, trays and food on the street without any regard to the residents of the area. Some of the residents also have not respect for their own back alleys or front of their houses and you can see the accumulated rubbish and litter there for days.

“Until the enforcement of the Litter and Environmental Laws, these people would continue to do so. Therefore, we are asking the Rochdale Council to implement the Litter Act and Environmental Laws in the Borough.

“It should be part of the Planning Applications that the businesses would be responsible for keeping their businesses areas clean and advise their customers to avoid throwing litter on the street.

“Every paper or tray they use must bear the name of their businesses. They should also be provided larger bins as those which are currently provided are small and cannot cope with the litter generated after a day’s sale.”