FORGET about having a roof over their heads.

Angry and frustrated residents have had one under their feet after builders replacing a neighbouring roof dumped the old one in the gated alleyway behind their homes.

Bryan Yates, from Sunfield Road, says a huge pile of slates, gas bottles, fibre glass, wood and rubble has been blighting homeowners for months following building work in Coldhurst Street.

And despite speaking to the building’s owner and the landlord he says nothing has been done.

He says the eyesore is a particular blow as a year ago residents went to great expense to hire skips to clean up the area and make it a pleasant place for their children and grandchildren to play in.

But it’s now a dangerous tip and a hazardous no-go zone for the youngsters.

“It’s absolutely disgusting and every day we wake up to this terrible view of dumped building waste,” said Bryan.

“I’ve spoken to the cash and carry owner several times and we are sick of waiting for something to be done.

“We’ve been in touch with council who came out a while ago, took one look at it and probably realised it was a bigger job moving it than they thought. I reckon there’s about five skip-fulls of rubbish there.

“We cleaned up this area for the children to play in and now this. We can’t let them any where near out the back now and we’re worried about the fact there’s gas bottles and fibre glass.”

Cllr Barbara Brownridge, cabinet member for neighbourhoods and co-operatives, said Oldham Council is seeking to resolve the situation and get the rubbish removed.

“Oldham Council is committed to keeping our neighbourhoods clean and tidy and we encourage residents to do their bit and report incidents of fly tipping to us directly.

“If we aren’t made aware, then we can’t investigate.

“An officer visited this location and we will now be writing to the business owner informing him he has seven days to remove the waste.

“If the owner does not comply then they will be served with an enforcement notice. If this is not complied with they will face prosecution.

“The council is sick and tired of having to clean up waste that has been dumped by irresponsible people. I’m sure these sentiments will be shared by the vast majority of residents who clean up after themselves.”

Landlord Irfan Ali says removal of the rubbish was the responsibility of the roofing contractor.

He says the company involved has since gone into liquidation and he is now in process of getting the waste removed.

“I did try to resolve it a few weeks ago but I couldn’t get access to the alleyway because the gates were locked.

“I accept it is now my responsibility to remove it and I will do so as soon as possible.”

To report fly-tipping call 0161-770 2244 or visit oldham.gov.uk/flytipping