Oswaldtwistle: Gates to stop flytipping at Heys allotments

Flytipping at Heys allotment site in Oswaldtwistle has become a regular problem and is now costing Hyndburn Borough Council thousands of pounds a year to clean up. Local Councillors Glen Harrison and Stewart Eaves have met with the Cabinet member for Allotments, Cllr Ken Moss, to find a solution to the issue.

Cllr Eaves said, "We have submitted a request to spend some of our Area Council money on fitting locked gates at the entrances to the allotments. Tenants and horse riders will still have access but it will stop the dumping."

Cllr Harrison said, "There is over £30,000 left in the Oswaldtwistle pot but Cllr Britcliffe and the Conservatives are opposing the move. I can't understand why, this is affecting not only our residents but the future of Heys allotments."

Cllr Moss said, "The allotments service is stretched already and we don't have the resources to keep dealing with flytipping on this scale. Why Peter Britcliffe would try to block this in his own area is a mystery. Gates are the only answer for a sustainable allotments service and the Leader of the Council agrees with me on this."  

There have been 34 instances of flytipping at the Heys site in one year alone, each costing a minimum of £100 to clear up. Gates to block the five entrances will cost £8,250.

Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council, Cllr Miles Parkinson, has approved the capital spend and work will begin shortly.