ACTION: Local residents from Oulton Terrace and Rothesay Terrace want to see the fly-tipping stop in hope of turning land into a community garden
ACTION: Local residents from Oulton Terrace and Rothesay Terrace want to see the fly-tipping stop in hope of turning land into a community garden

Community calls for an end to unsightly mess

A residents group, who have continuously seen fly-tippers discard their waste on land they hope to turn into a community garden, say more needs to be done to deter the ‘late night droppers’.

The pathway between Oulton Terrace and Rothesay Terrace, in Great Horton, has become a notorious dumping ground for all items, from furniture to electrical goods.

Despite attempts to stop those committing the acts, rubbish continues to build up with mattresses and sofas currently spilling over to the narrow path.

Amjad Ahmed, chair of the local Shearbridge Residents Association, says the problem has been a consistent one for a number of years yet hopes it can be resolved soon.

WORK: Shearbridge Residents Association treasurer, Najib Khan, and chair, Amjad Ahmed, stand next to some of the rubbish with councillor Nazam Azam
WORK: Shearbridge Residents Association treasurer, Najib Khan, and chair, Amjad Ahmed, stand next to some of the rubbish with councillor Nazam Azam

“People are collecting rubbish from homes around here and telling residents, ‘we can dispose of your unwanted items for a tenner’ and then just dumping it all here,” he said.

“Last year there was trade waste dumped here, with a number of fridge freezers and even though they were moved because somebody got the plates of the driver, there is still a big problem.

“We are working with the local councillors to hopefully turn the site into a safe place for all residents but it is just taking so much time.”

Amongst the local councillors backing plans for a community garden project is Cllr Nazam Azam. He says the residents have previously excelled in their ‘localism’ and deserve a clean area.

“The residents around here have come up with a brilliant proposal for the space to be used as a recreation space,”  he said.

RUBBISH: Amongst current waste found at the site is furniture, including sofas and beds
RUBBISH: Amongst current waste found at the site is furniture, including sofas and beds

“I am very confident that they will not only get what is desired for this space but what is required and by working with the council, it will become a space that benefits the local community.”

Najib Khan is another resident who has lived in the area all his life and is currently treasurer for the residents association.

He believes homeowners would be willing to take on parts of the challenge themselves if the council allowed them the licence to carry out such works.

“It has been a problem for a long time now,” he explained. “I was walking the children to school the other day and a brick just fell off the wall so there is clearly a lot of work that needs to be done.

“Hopefully we will get some help soon and the council will grant the licences to begin work on the garden project.”