Wigan Council asks residents to help tackle £4m litter problem

Across the borough, Wigan Council estimates that it costs around £4million per year to remove litter and fly-tipped waste from public spaces.

The "huge societal problem" was flagged in a survey by residents and business owners last year, with the council adamant that it "will not tolerate any dumping of rubbish" across the borough.

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Rubbish dumped on Orchard Lane, Leigh (Image: Contributed)

At a Confident Places Scrutiny Committee last October, it was stated how the council's environment team issued 54 penalty notices, 33 community protection notices and got five successful prosecutions in court in relation to littering and fly-tipping.

Despite the tough approach, the problem has persisted and particular hotspots have been recorded on Lodge Lane, Orchard Lane, Glebe Street, and Milton Street in Leigh, as well as other areas in Atherton and Tyldesley.

In an effort to ramp up its efforts against litter and fly tipping, the council has organised a survey to get residents involved in tackling the costly problem.

Needles left around a bin on Derby Street, Atherton (Image: Contributed)

Councillor Paul Prescott, cabinet portfolio holder for planning, environmental issues, and transport said: “As it says in the strategy; ‘Every pound of taxpayer’s money spent clearing up after people who fly-tip in our borough, drop litter on our streets or fail to clean up after their pets, is a pound that could be invested in our schools, enhancing our local environment or caring for people in need.

“Littering and fly-tipping is not just costing the council millions of pounds every year, it is a scourge on our environment.

“It can end up in local waterways and go out to sea, harming marine wildlife, and it damages our local environment, and can hurt or even kill local wildlife.

“We are determined to reduce the amount of litter and fly-tipping in our borough. But we cannot do this alone.”

Bags of rubbish dumped on the residential Platt Street, Leigh (Image: Contributed)

The survey is asking people what kind of items they see dropped and dumped, why they think people commit these offences, and their best ideas for encouraging people to stop littering and fly-tipping.

Everyone who replies will be given the opportunity to enter a free prize draw to win one of five £100 shopping vouchers.

Rubbish dumped at Lodge Lane, Leigh, last year (Image: Contributed)

Coun Prescott added: “We are all responsible for keeping our borough beautiful, and keeping litter and fly-tipping off our streets.

“Please take a few minutes to fill in our quick and easy survey and give us your thoughts on how we can achieve this together.”

The survey can be found here and the full terms and conditions for the competition can be found here.