Stinking bin bags piled high, broken furniture and dumped fridges filled with rotting food - this is the shocking extent of fly-tipping in Bolton.
Like in many other towns and boroughs, it is a big problem - one that blightens the lives of those living nearby to hotspots and ruins what should be natural beauty spots.
Earlier this week, Bolton Council imposed its 'toughest sentence yet' on a fly-tipper who dumped a mattress, a bed frame, a fridge freezer and mountains of bin bags at the back of her house in Woodfield Street, Great Lever.
Livia Krskova, 38, forced to spend a weekend in the cells and ordered to complete 100 hours community service.
But despite Town Hall bosses cracking down on those who fly-tip, it remains a major issue.
Here are some of the worst spots for people dumping rubbish:
River Croal
The River Croal runs throughout Bolton, including underneath parts of the town centre.
Bolton North East MP Mark Logan recently described the area of the river close to Queen’s Park as “absolutely minging” while helping the Litter Pickers of Bolton North.
Over the last few weeks alone, Litter Pickers of Bolton North claim to have collected around 1,000 bags in the area and they continue to go out each weekend.
Darcy Lever Railway Cutting
The local beauty spot has been home to such wildlife as foxes, but it has become overgrown and rubbish is regularly tipped at the location.
Councillor Sean Hornby has long championed Darcy Lever for its beauty and he’s frustrated to see it in the state it is currently.
He said:“In the railway cutting we’ve had community payback in a few times to sort it out.
“It’s also really bad at the side of the river between Radcliffe Road and Raikes Lane tip, it’s got worse since they started charging people to use the tip.
“It’s unbelievable how bad it is and it’s costing hundreds of thousands of pounds to fix.”
Giant's Seat Wood, Ringley
Ringley-based garden centre Giant Seat remains as popular as ever but the surrounding area and woodland is increasingly becoming the victim of flytipping.
Chris Hogan, who lives in Giant Seat House said: “They throw it down the banking, the place is full of drug blankets and old weed growing equipment.
“They drop stuff here every two weeks along with bags of compost and old roots, it seems to have become their favourite tipping ground.”
Raikes Lane
The tip at Raikes Lane has long been of the council’s biggest areas of concern from a flytipping perspective.
Recently however, three CCTV cameras have been installed in the lane, one at each end and one in the middle.
These provide 360 degree coverage, can identify people, vehicles and number plates, and are supposed to act as a deterrent.
Despite this, flytipping still regularly takes place and at the time of writing, there was a car seat dumped just yards away from the first camera.
Land between Wellington Street and Farnworth Park
Resident Belinda Byron said: “I live on this street and it’s a dumping ground there, it’s awful. There’s always rubbish at the bottom. It’s been reported so many times.”
Councillor Maureen Flitcroft suggested that the issue arises from the land being unadopted, meaning it is not the council’s responsibility.
He added: “Enforcement are aware but I’m guessing it’s unadopted land so we probably won’t get anywhere with it.”
Tigers Clough
With two waterfalls and meandering paths, the clough has become a hotspot for walkers over the years, but it has also become a hotspot for people dumping all sorts of rubbish.
Shopping trolleys have been left by the waterfalls and people often leave their tents and equipment after camping.
Walker Pete Hill commented: “It’s disappointing to see the disrespect shown to our wonderful countryside, I suspect this was a landlord’s clear out as it still has food in it. Regardless it isn’t on.”
Manchester Road, Kearsley
A sign in the window of Golden Village Chinese Takeaway states that it is closed temporarily for maintenance and will be back open soon.
However it has been closed since around March 2019 and there are no visible signs of it reopening.
Councillor Paul Sanders admitted that it was an ownership issue.
He said: “The behaviour of a few irresponsible people turns the environment of our neighbourhoods for the many.
“This land is actually private, hence the previous council stickers and visits and letters to the properties but enforcement are aware so fingers crossed.”
Back Harrowby Street, Farnworth
Mattresses and wooden panels are among the items left by fly tippers in the street.
We now have a dedicated Facebook page bringing you all the latest news, events and community news in Bolton.
To keep up to date with all that is happening in the area, and to join in the discussion, follow the page here.
