The engineless van with rat infestation and rotting load that’s blighting a neighbourhood

Thursday, 9 October 2025 18:52

By Chris Gee, Local Democracy Reporter

A long-dumped van with a rotting load and rat infestation is set to be cleared.

Fed up passers-by and businesses near Rectory Lane in Radcliffe have reported the ‘horrid sight’ of the van, which has no engine and a driving compartment full of waste.

The unsightly mess was the subject of complaints this week to borough councillor Ken Simpson, who represents the area on Bury council.

He said: “While visiting the location of the planned new bridge over to Pioneer Mill last week I met two local ladies from East Street who told me about this horrid sight.

“I reported it to the council. “I asked for the removal of the dumped van with a dangerous load on Rectory Lane.

“The load is rotting away and poses a danger to passers- by. “It has a rat infestation that I witnessed in person.

“The vehicle has no engine and even the driving compartment is full of waste.

“I have established it is nothing to do with nearby businesses and that they have reported it and a nearby dumped car on numerous occasions.

“Their place of business is kept neat and tidy and this dumped vehicle is being blamed on them when in reality it is nothing to do with them.”

Coun Simposn published a response from the council’s abandoned vehicles officer.

It read: “An officer has asked for the council contractor to remove this vehicle as soon as they can.

“The officer has done everything possible to find ownership of the vehicle before it became a considerable cost to the council as it full of waste.

“This should be removed by the end of the week.”

Coun Simpson, added: “Sometimes getting action from the council takes time. On this occasion not so much.”

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