11:00pm Wednesday 10th March 2010
By Alex Willmott
FLY-TIPPERS have dumped piles of rubbish in a Rossendale town infuriating the borough council.
A street in Waterfoot town centre has become a ‘health hazard’, according to a local councillor who spotted the unofficial rubbish tip.
Household goods, rotten food, half-empty paint pots, torn carpets, and a bed mattress were found illegally dumped in a side street behind Burnley Road East.
Coun Jim Pilling has expressed his anger at those responsible.
He said: “It’s easy to see there is a pretty big pile of rubbish which is located in the town centre.
"It is unbelievable that anyone would be irresponsible enough to act like this.
“The rubbish contains various items, including foodstuff, and so it is an obvious health hazard.
“The mess must be cleaned up without delay and, hopefully, the culprits found and punished.”
Shops and residential homes are located within metres of the recently fly-tipped site which has sparked a serious warning from the borough council.
Environment portfolio holder Coun Peter Steen said: “We are aware of this site and have arranged for a land search to be done to identify the owner, who has a legal responsibility to clear the rubbish.
“We will be writing to the owner in the next week to ensure that they are aware of their legal responsibilities.
“For the council to bring a prosecution for fly- tipping we need clear evidence.
"For example, the registration of the vehicle that is used, a description of the people doing the tipping, and witnesses who are prepared to make a legal statement.”
The Valley saw 501 fly-tipping incidents in 2009.
To report fly-tipping call 01706 878660/879017.
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