A 77-year-old litter picker has called for action to stop fly-tipping in an area which he likens to a ‘conveyor belt’.

Harry Houghton, 77, who lives in Hunger Hill, previously called for cameras to be installed at notorious litter hotspots, including Lock Lane.

He praised the council for how quickly they collect fly-tipping on Lock Lane, but Harry says that it just reappears again.

Harry says that he collects litter from Lock Lane and Wigan Road, but when he comes across furniture or heavy items, he reports it to the council.

He said: “It’s disgusting.

The Bolton News: Lock Lane two weeks agoLock Lane two weeks ago (Image: Public)

“The council usually collect it within four days, but it’s like a conveyor belt because they get rid of one load and another one comes.

“It’s just frustrating that people want to do these things”.

Harry has voluntarily litter picked for around three and half years, and he says that sometimes litter appears just hours after he has cleaned the area.

He said: “I have lost faith in some humans because I can’t understand why they do it, it is free to put it in the bin or take it to the tip.”

The Bolton News: During his litter picking some of the common items he sees include disposable vapes, food waste, and gas cannisters.

In total Harry has collected 130 bags since he started and says signs could be something to consider.

He says that just two weeks ago when fly tipping was collected from Lock Lane, more reappeared last weekend.

Ward councillor Cllr Martin Tighe says that he will be taking a trip to the area himself and speak to the neighbourhood team and put it on the list of known areas, as well as raise the issue as a whole in the area at the next full council meeting.

He said: “We do have an issue across the ward at certain hotspots of which I try to visit.

“The council does have enforcement over anyone they can catch with fly tipping.

“Once fly tipping is reported they do an investigation to see if there is anything identifiable.

“Where Lock Lane is at the top of Hunger Hill, connecting to Chew Moor, people think it’s ideal and out of the way, but it’s certainly not the case for the residents who live there, and the council who clean it up.

“It is costly to the council, and unsightly to residents.

“The more focus we can put on known hot spot areas the better, because it becomes very well-known then.”

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