AN access road plagued by fly-tipping incidents in the last year will be closed at certain times of the day in a bid to tackle the problem.

Morley’s Lane, the Whitehead landfill site access road in Tyldesley, will be shut by Wigan Council from 5.30pm to 6.30am each night from Monday to Friday with it being closed between 1pm to 6.30am on Monday.

Landowner Peel Environmental Ltd have spent more than £15,000 to clean up the waste dumped by offenders in the last 12 months.

A company spokesman said: “Incidents of fly-tipping along the Whiteland Landfill site access road have been getting progressively worse over recent months and the cost of clearing illegal waste deposits is unsustainable.

“We welcome the assistance of Wigan Council in taking action on this matter and will be gathering evidence over the coming weeks in support of their intention to take enforcement action against the perpetrators.”

CCTV will also be installed at the location.

During the road closure periods authorised vehicles will be allowed through.

Cllr Kevin Anderson, cabinet member for environment at Wigan Council, said: “Our focus is always on education and we will work with residents to support them if they are struggling with their waste.

“Fly-tipping is not acceptable and it ruins the neighbourhood for other residents.

“We need people to help us by reporting incidents and hotspots so we can carry out enforcement and catch these offenders who blight our communities.”

Residents are also being warned to check with The Environmental Agency if a person or company who is taking their rubbish away for a fee is a licensed waste carrier.

Licensed carriers carry a credit card style license or certificate with them at all times.

Cllr Anderson added: “It is the responsibility of the resident to ensure waste is disposed of correctly and the resident could be prosecuted if their waste is found to be fly-tipped.

“Our environmental education and enforcement team is in action seven days a week and proactively target fly tipping hotspots to catch offenders.”

To report a fly-tipping incident, visit wigan.gov.uk/reportit or use the council’s Report It app on your smartphone.