Women must pay up as fly-tippers face clampdown
RESIDENTS whose rubbish has been found dumped and dropped have been ordered to pay up as part of a council clampdown on fly-tipping.
Amanda Collinge, 45, of Manchester Road, Rochdale, and 34-year-old Hayley Spencer, of Miller Street, Heywood, have both admitted failing to secure controlled waste, in unrelated cases after refuse belonging to them was found abandoned in the borough.
The women appeared on separate occasions at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court and explained how they hired ‘cowboy’ waste collectors to remove their rubbish, however neither provided full details of the people they employed.
Collinge’s rubbish was found dumped on Thornham Lane, Middleton, and she was given a sixmonth conditional discharge and ordered to pay £100 costs. Meanwhile, Spencer had to shell out a £40 fine and £100 costs after her household rubbish was found on land next to Heywood Cricket Club.
A third person – Katie Hurst, 26, of Great Gates Road, Rochdale – has been ordered to pay a £220 fine and £265 costs after being found guilty of littering in Rochdale, for dropping a cigarette butt in a separate, unrelated hearing.
Rochdale council said a further six people are due in court for fly-tipping and littering offences, while another nine cases are in the process of being prepared.
Coun Neil Emmott, cabinet member for environment, said: “We’re as sick of fly-tippers and littering as our residents are.
“It’s a blight on our streets and beautiful countryside and ultimately costs the tax payer money.
“There are many legitimate and easy ways to get rid of waste, so there is never an excuse for it being dumped.
“We will continue to crack down on and prosecute wherever and whenever we can.
“Our message to those who have excess household rubbish for removal is to take it to one of our tips or to hire a licensed waste carrier or book a bulky waste collection from us. If you don’t and your waste is found flytipped, you will face prosecution. If you have any information about fly-tipping or those responsible, please report it at rochdale.gov.uk/flytipping or by calling on 0300 303 8884.”
Information about how to dispose of bulky waste and the locations of recycling centres can be found at rochdale.gov.uk/recycling.