A two-minute walk proved expensive for Middleton fly-tipper

Friday, 8 December 2023 09:25

By David Murphy

A Middleton woman has been fined after evidence was found in two bags of waste fly-tipped in an alleyway at Back Gilmour Street, Middleton, less than a two-minute walk from her home.

A council enforcement warden found the bags on 20 July 2023 with evidence inside that led to Kirsty Anderson of Townley Street attending an interview where she admitted to dumping the bags.

She was issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of £150, reduced to £65 for payment within seven days for littering, which would have discharged her from any further liability.

Ms Anderson appeared at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court on 1 December, following her refusal to pay the FPN, where she pleaded guilty to an offence contrary to Section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act (1990) for littering and ordered to pay a total of £362 in fines and costs.

Councillor Liam O’Rourke, the council’s cabinet member for climate change and environment, said: “These two bags of waste could have easily fitted in the bin, taken to the local recycling centre, or removed responsibly by a licensed waste carrier. This seemingly small act of negligence resulted in a substantial fine that equates to £181 per bag – why dump rubbish and not expect significant repercussions? “Dispose of litter responsibly, from a single bottle to household waste - our streets are not the place to throw rubbish wherever you like, or is someone else’s problem. We’re serious about keeping our borough clean, and everyone should take pride in where they live.”

For larger items, the council offers two free bulky waste collections of three items per household per year. Collections can be booked at rochdale.gov.uk/bulkywaste up to 3 weeks in advance.

Residents can report fly-tipping at rochdale.gov.uk/flytipping or by calling 0300 303 8884.