RESIDENTS are calling for action to be taken as flytipping becomes a huge problem in a nature reserve.

Lee Archer says the amount of flytipping, faeces and wipes at Gravel Pits in Darcy Lever is becoming ridiculous and something needs to be done because rats are now becoming a huge problem in the area.

According to Lee, there are two large tents, one being lived in by a man and woman and one full of rubbish, in his local nature reserve, which are causing a health hazard and impacting local wildlife.

He said: “A man and woman have been living in one of the tents for more than a year now.

“There is a huge pile of rubbish and faeces and it’s becoming a massive problem.

“In the past, the council have been out but some people have since said they won’t do anything regarding the tents and flytipping.

“You would have to go into the woods to see it but everyone is aware that it’s there.

“In recent months there have been lots of rats and one rat has chewed through the wires in my car’s engine and there are rat droppings everywhere.

“I went to start my car and it wouldn’t start so I called the AA and the man said that rats had been living in the car bonnet and had chewed my wires.

“I feel like there is no solution in sight, the problems with the rats seem regular.

“The gravel pits is a registered Site of Biological Interest for its flowers and plants and it is also a Site of Scientific Interest with protected species on it such as greater crested newts.

“It is a really nice nature reserve and this is just getting ridiculous.”

Another resident in the area said the nature reserve is a stunning place and it is becoming a health hazard.

He said: “There is a definite health hazard here, the people have been there since the start of the first lockdown and the council are saying its not on their land so they can’t move them.

"About a year ago the council came out and they had a homelessness team with them to speak to the people in the tent, but they got a lot of abuse and have never been back.

"The area is well used by dog walkers, families and horses and its not good for people and wildlife as well, you can smell the flytipping from miles away.

"I'm more worried about it getting out of hand and if there's rats living near the rubbish and excretion, what germs are being spread.

"It's a health issue, a disturbance to wildlife and I don't know how they will clear the area up when they leave.

"It's an absolutely stunning place in the summer with the deer, so this is a real shame."

Andrea Taylor-Burke, a ward councillor for Little Lever and Darcy Lever, said she is shocked to see this as she thought the relevant teams were involved.

She said: "I was shocked to see this was an ongoing issue as I was under the impression the relevant teams were involved.

"They assured me they would work to gain trust with the individuals to help them.

"I was unaware this was still ongoing as I said, and I was only made aware again to it by a recent Facebook post by a Darcy Lever resident.

"Having seen the pictures I am disgusted that nothing has been done.

"This is not only a health risk to the individuals but also to the wider public.

"I have now sent the photos to the team involved last year and am awaiting a further response."

A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “We are aware of a small encampment on land at Darcy Lever Gravel Pits and our housing team is working to engage with those staying at the site.”