Subway under M66 cleaned up after complaints from Ferngrove residents

The underpass which links Ferngrove east and west, beneath the M66 in Bury, was strewn with rubbish.

Bury Council said that the area has become a "fly-tipping hotspot".

The council removed the litter and fly-tipping within 48 hours of it being raised by Cllr Sandra Walmsley. They are also sourcing a bin to help tackle the problem of littering in the area.

Residents living on the Ferngrove estate has voiced their frustration about growing piles of rubbish under the subway and pools of rain water building up on the footpath at the end of last week.

Leaves and rain water under the subway prior to the clean-up operation. Picture, Cllr Sandra Walmsley

Cllr Sandra Walmsley, who represents Moorside on Bury Council, called for "urgent action" from the council.

She said: "Moorside residents rightly complained of the unacceptable state of the subways under Ferngrove. Residents said this was a recurring problem.

"We found several black bin bags that had been fly-tipped as well as general litter.

"I asked Bury Council for urgent action which I’m pleased to say was carried out this week.

"There was also a large amount of residual water left over from Storm Ciara. These subways are susceptible to flooding in heavy rainfall because of water run off from the M66 above.

"I am liaising with council officers on a drainage solution however, the motorway infrastructure belongs to Highways England and we expect them to take some action to help resolve this long standing problem."

A quantity of rubbish, including food packaging, milk cartons and children's toys were found in the subway on Sunday.

A resident described the subway prior to the clean-up as "disgusting."

Cllr Walmsley was also informed that a bin had gone missing, and has requested that bins be placed at the subway exits.

Food wrappers and other litter dumped under the subway before it was cleaned by the council. Picture, Cllr Sandra Walmsley

A council spokesman said: "The water was caused by the huge amount of rain which fell on Bury in an extremely short space of time.

"Unfortunately this area is also a hotspot for fly-tipping.

"We took action immediately following this incident to completely clear up the area and we hope that it will remain that way.

"As far as the bin mentioned by Cllr Walmsley, this was taken away following vandalism, and we are trying to source a replacement."

Highways England confirmed that they will be making improvements to help alleviate the flooding issues on the motorway.

A spokesman for Highways England said: "We are taking steps to improve drainage on the M66, with work already due to take place later this month between Junctions 2 and 3. We will also work with Bury Council to look into the concerns that have been raised about the Ferngrove subway.”