A LARGE pile of fly-tipped rubbish that is believed to be the remains of a cannabis farm has been dumped in a Radcliffe street.

Complaints have been made about the mounting pile in Warth Fold Road, which residents and walkers say has been added to since Christmas Day.

Among the mound of waste are large ventilation tubes, polystyrene blocks, soil and plant pots that are typical of equipment used for cultivating cannabis farms.

Councillors and residents say that the fly-tipping has been reported to Bury Council, who confirmed that the rubbish will be cleaned up "by the end of the week."

Residents took to social media to raise their concerns, with one individual describing it as "disgusting" and another posting: "This is a regular dumping ground regardless of signs."

Others commented that the waste "looks like the remains of a cannabis farm."

A spokesman for Bury Council said: "Fly-tipping is a disgrace and carried out by highly irresponsible people with no concern for the effect it has on local communities and council tax payers.

"We will always take action against offenders where we have evidence.

"We would urge anyone who witnesses incidents of fly-tipping to report it to us."

Cllr Mike Smith, who represents Radcliffe West ward, has called for fly-tipping hotspots to be monitored by CCTV.

Cllr Smith said: "A radical rethink is required on the fly-tipping problem across the borough.

"Is the cost of cleaning up after it greater than the revenue received from trade waste? If not then surely the lesser of two evils would be to test an amnesty on trade waste to evaluate the results.

"Most of the incidents require transport to dump the waste, see if an amnesty makes a difference and take it from there.

"Similarly, fly-tipping hotspots should be monitored by cameras if necessary to increase the number of prosecutions for this offence."

He has raised concerns over the potential rise in fly-tipping when new rules come into force in February, limiting the number of times households can visit the tip.

Under plans, vans above 3.5tonne in gross vehicle weight will be limited to 12 trips per year, while cars and cars with single axle trailers will be limited to 52 visits.

This will apply to all household waste recycling centres across Greater Manchester, excluding Wigan.

The changes have been commissioned by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and are aimed at stopping traders and businesses from illegally using the centres.

The Bury Times has approached the GMCA for comment.