PARK Bridge residents have teamed up with their local councillors to fight the blight of fly-tipping at the well-known beauty spot.
Key hotspots for rubbish being dumped include Fennyfield Bridge and the banks of the River Medlock along Waggon Road, which requires specialist contractors to remove it due to the health and safety risks posed by the steep banks.
Fed up residents set up a Facebook page so they could join forces to find a solution and quickly established volunteering teams to carry out community clear ups.
They also enlisted the help of Waterloo ward Councillors Vimal Choksi and Pauline Hollinshead to liaise with council officers.
Resident Chris Travis said: “This issue has been an ongoing problem that we collectively object in strongest terms and demand that punitive actions are being taken by the local authorities to bring offenders to justice.
“I am working with Cllr Choksi and have met council officers at the site to raise residents’ concerns and find workable solutions.”
Cllr Choksi added: “This situation is unacceptable. We need immediate action – shifting the problem is not a solution.
“Understandably, Tameside Council is under tremendous financial pressure following years of austerity so every penny must be spent wisely.
“My discussions with council officers have been about thinking outside the box to come up with solutions and working closely with residents to fully address their concerns. Partnership working is the best way to solve this.
“I have demanded that if there is evidence, offenders are chased and the strictest enforcement action is taken. Doing nothing is not an option.
“Council officers have been responding to the issues positively and am I confident that with collective efforts we can tackle this issue effectively.”
Ashton and Failsworth MP Angela Rayner, who regularly receives calls and emails about fly-tipping at Park Bridge, said: “I have been assured by the council that they are liaising with Cllr Choksi and have met with residents on site to discuss the issue at length.
“It is not acceptable that residents have to put up with fly-tipping. It’s a real eyesore caused by a small minority acting selfishly that ruin it for everyone else.
“By working together with residents, I am confident that we will find an effective solution.”