BUSINESSES cannot protect their land from fly-tipping because a 200-year-old public right of way passes through their industrial estate.

Fly-tippers dumped 20 tonnes of rubbish on the access road to Firwood Indus- trial Estate on Monday night.

The 12-foot trash pile was the latest and worst in a string of incidents that has blighted the site.

But Bolton Council, which spent £1,364.28 to move the rubbish, has told businesses they cannot put an access gate at the entry to the site because of public right of way laws.

Fly-tipping occurs every two to three weeks, businesses told The Bolton News.

Bosses asked the council for a barrier five years ago but were told there was a by-law from 1800, which stated the route must be kept open for horses and carts.

Jack Parsisson, manager at Huws Gray, said: “Fly tipping happens quite a lot but never to this extent.

“But we have been told we cannot put a barrier because of an ancient law that says we have got to leave access for a horse and cart.

“I have worked here for 30 years and I have never seen a horse and cart.

“We did put stumps in the ground but they were no good because they got damaged.

“Something needs to be done to stop this happening.”

The council has reiterated its pledge to catch those responsible and said it was confident of bringing the per- petrators to justice.

A council spokesman said: “The access route to Firwood Industrial Estate carries additional public rights as a restricted byway.

“This means there exists footpath rights, bridleway rights, rights for drivers of horse drawn vehicles and a public right to pass in or on a vehicle.

“Due to this, as a highway authority, we cannot authorise the erection of a gate as this would obstruct the rights of the public to pass and repass.”

􏰀 Anyone with information should call 01204 336930.