PILES of dumped rubbish are causing parts of Oldham to decline to "slum level" and residents are calling on the town hall and MP to take urgent action.

Resident Mark Birchall told a meeting of the full borough council he had lived in Medlock Vale for more than 50 years, and he is currently witnessing a "crisis" in Hathershaw because of the rising levels of waste on the streets.

Council leader Sean Fielding said that it was one of the key revised priorities for the authority to recruit extra street cleaners and enforcement officers to tackle the blight on the borough.

Addressing the council chamber, Mr Birchall said: “Hathershaw as we know has been one of the most deprived areas in the country.

“We have now a crisis occurring right under our very eyes. Parts of this area are slowly declining to slum level.

“This is one of the many social issues which needs addressing in this area. This situation is totally unacceptable and we feel abandoned by the council.”

He demanded that the issue be discussed at cabinet level, and by MP Jim McMahon, as a "matter of urgency".

Cllr Fielding said he had seen photographs of the area supplied by Mr Birchall, and the images were not "very pleasant or easy to look at".

“It is utterly unacceptable the level of waste that is being dumped in and around Hathershaw,” he responded. "I’m afraid that during the election process we found that, although this is one of the worst, it’s not unique.

“And that is why one of the key revised priorities of the administration since I became the leader here is to recruit extra capacity into our street team and enforcement team so we can get on top of these very basic neighbourhood service issues that we’ve got.”

He said the decision that will allow that to go ahead will be taken at cabinet levels.

“So I can assure you that as a result of conversations that I’ve had with plenty of people who are experiencing the same issues as yourself, the issue of district cleanliness is very much being discussed within the leadership at Oldham council and will continue to be,” Coun Fielding added.

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