![\"Business](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1_JS365396812.jpg\")
Business owner Adam Pope said the area around Westbrook Street, Grosvenor Street, and Gorton Street in Bolton is becoming “a disaster zone”<\/p>\n“It’s a disaster zone, and nothing is being done”<\/p>\n
06:20, 12 Apr 2025Updated 06:20, 12 Apr 2025<\/p>\n
Business owner Adam Pope said the area around Westbrook Street, Grosvenor Street, and Gorton Street in Bolton is becoming “a disaster zone”<\/p>\n
A business owner has said the continuous illegal dumping of waste has left a part of Greater Manchester battling an environmental and public safety crisis for months.<\/p>\n
Adam Pope, says residents and fellow business owners with property near Westbrook Street, Grosvenor Street, and Gorton Street, in Bolton<\/a>, are dealing with an environmental crisis<\/a>.<\/p>\n For months, Adam says the area has been blighted with hazardous waste as the scale of fly-tipping has spiralled out of control.<\/p>\n Labelling the area a “disaster zone”, Adam says despite repeated complaints to Bolton Council<\/a>, the site remains a no-go zone for locals and workers. He claims the area has got worse over the past six months with drug paraphernalia, rotting waste, and vermin infestations, creating an unacceptable risk to the public’s health.<\/p>\n Adam said: “The site is littered with hazardous waste \u2013 needles, broken furniture, piles of dumped rubbish.<\/p>\n “Staff feel unsafe, and businesses are suffering. It’s a disaster zone, and nothing is being done.”<\/p>\n Adam claims employees of nearby businesses have also raised concerns over workplace safety, with some saying they feel too unsafe to walk through the area due to reports of anti-social behaviour and drug activity.<\/p>\n He added: “We\u2019re within 100 metres of a \u00a32 million office redevelopment. Major businesses like Audi, Costa, and Arnold Clarke operate nearby. How can investment in Bolton succeed when the council can\u2019t even keep our streets clean and safe?”<\/p>\n The issue has also raised alarm over water pollution risks, as the waste site is close to the River Croal.<\/p>\n Animal welfare groups are also said to be concerned..<\/p>\n Adam said: “The waste is piling up near water drains. If it gets into the system, it could cause serious contamination. The council\u2019s inaction could lead to an environmental disaster.”<\/p>\n Adding: “Dogs visiting the nearby veterinary centre are being exposed to all kinds of contaminated waste, rotting rubbish, and potential biohazards. The presence of drugs and vermin means there\u2019s a serious risk of disease transmission.<\/p>\n “It\u2019s completely unacceptable that a veterinary practice has to operate next to conditions like this.”<\/p>\n The Manchester Evening News has contacted Animal Trust Vets for comment.<\/p>\n Three weeks ago, Adam set up a petition demanding an independent review<\/a> into why Bolton Council has failed to deal with the ongoing issue, which has already attracted over 630 signatures.<\/p>\n The petition calls for an external investigation into: Why resources have not been allocated to clear the waste and improve safety in the area. Why those responsible for dumping hazardous materials have not been dealt with and whether Bolton Council is meeting its legal obligations to protect public health and safety.<\/p>\n A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “The Council is aware of flytipping in and around the Westbrook Street, Grosvenor Street, and Gorton<\/a> Street area.<\/p>\n “Flytipping is a blight on communities, delivered by those, less invested in the areas they choose to undertake this criminal activity in.<\/p>\n “The cost of investigating this issue and the clean-up is significant. The impact on the communities and businesses in the area is another heavy cost.<\/p>\n “Council officers have assessed the area and will be removing the waste as soon as possible. Any evidence identifying those responsible will be used as part of a prosecution.<\/p>\n “Flytipping will not be tolerated in Bolton<\/a> and as part of the budget announced earlier this year, the Environmental Enforcement Team is being expanded to address this problem.”<\/p>\n![\"Fly-tipped](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2_JS365399487.jpg\")
Fly-tipped waste in the Westbrook Gateway area of Bolton close to the River CroalPublic Health and Environmental Concerns<\/p>\n![\"Adam](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2_JS365396813.jpg\")
Adam Pope said the area is becoming “a disaster zone” due to fly-tipped waste not being removed by Bolton Council<\/p>\n