Oldham backstreets get a clean-up makeover

The backstreets of Oldham have been overhauled after a clean-up operation targeting alleyways across the borough.

The Don’t Trash Oldham team tackled vegetation, litter and dirt in selected backstreets in Shaw, Royton and Hathershaw. Oldham Council shared before and after pictures of the transformed sites on X [formerly known as Twitter], writing: “Our staff have done some great work and we’re sure it’s appreciated by residents. Now let’s keep them clean!” 

The scheme is a part of a long-term strategy to clean up neighbourhoods, which target areas frequently affected by fly-tipping and littering. 

Council officers have highlighted 38 hotspots where more than 60 per cent of fly-tipping incidents are recorded. Twenty-nine of those are in residential areas. These include streets in St Mary’s, Alexandra, Medlock Vale, Waterhead, and Werneth. 

The council introduced the Don’t Trash Oldham scheme in August 2021, alongside other measures like stricter enforcement of penalties and intervention by officers. 

Cllr Arooj Shah said: “When I started Don’t Trash Oldham, our priorities were clear: we wanted to make the borough cleaner and greener and take action against those who leave others to clear up after them.” 

Visiting the sites means incidences of fly-tipping and littering can be investigated and sometimes traced back to the perpetrators, meaning the council can issue fines or get the courts involved.

Since its introduction, the council has issued more than 640 fines for environmental crimes such as fly-tipping and duty of care failures. 

“We’re naming and shaming people because residents don’t want to live in a tip,” Cllr Shah said. “If you see someone dumping an old sofa or bin bags of rubbish report it to us. We’ll investigate and will take action if we find evidence.”

It’s a criminal offence for a person to knowingly litter or fly-tip in a public place. It carries a maximum fine of £2,500 and can be tried in a magistrate’s court.

Cases of littering and fly-tipping can be reported on the Oldham council website or by phone on 01617706644.