Concerns raised over ‘fly tipping’ at Seven Acres Country Park

Breightmet resident Dawn Exley says she confronted a man after witnessing what she believed was a bag of rubbish about to be thrown into a woodland beside Seven Acres Park.

The incident comes as concerns continue over vehicles littering and fly-tipping in the area.

Ms Exley said the incident was unrelated to recent issues and reflected concerns she says have existed for several years.

(Image: Newsquest)

She said: “Personally, I’m a little bit on a tightrope with my emotions at the minute.

“And I saw it and just thought I’m sick of it being a dumping ground.

“Whether it’s rubbish or anything else, I just thought I’m not having this. I’m really community spirited, and I don’t have any hidden agenda.”

The incident happened on the Waggon Road side of Seven Acres Park.

Ms Exley said she has been documenting what she says is littering in the area since 2021 and has previously reported concerns to Bolton Council.

She said she had witnessed what she believed was a bag being thrown into the woodland from a car with its rear doors open.

She explained that she challenged the driver and asked him to collect the bag, and that later he did.

(Image: Newsquest)

Ms Exley said she also asked him to remove another bag already at the location because she believed it may have belonged to him, but said the driver denied it was his.

Following a report of fly tipping near Seven Acres Park, Bolton Council said it visited the area but found no evidence of fly tipping.

Ms Exley said: “I stopped because I saw something that wasn’t right, and I addressed it.”

She said she wanted to make clear the incident should not be linked to wider community tensions in the town and added that she was worried about the affect littering could have on wildlife.

Commenting on fly tipping more generally across the borough, Cllr Sean Fielding said: “The thing about that area is you can drive up to it easily.

(Image: PHIL TAYLOR)

“There’s not loads of properties that overlook it, and there’s not loads of people around all the time.

“So unfortunately it’s just one of those places, in common with lots of places across the borough, where people are finding themselves able to tip unwitnessed.”

A Bolton Council spokesperson said: “We regularly monitor and clear fly tipping in public areas and respond to any reports we receive.

“Following a report of fly tipping next to Seven Acres Park, we recently visited the area but could find no evidence of fly tipping.”