Workers at a stables in Trafford claim they were told debris washed up in New Year’s Day flooding counted as fly-tipped waste – and that they’d face a fine.
Willow Farm Stables in Urmston suffered in the deluge on January 1 as the nearby River Mersey swelled. Site manager Paul Smith said he was told by a council officer that rubbish left in the wake of the flooding ‘counted as fly-tipping’.
“She said she didn’t know what else to categorise it as – and that we’d have to pay a fine,” he added. Trafford town hall has now clarified the situation.
A spokesman said: “Representatives from the Council attended the stables today (January 9) and spoke with the owner regarding the situation. As a goodwill gesture we will be delivering a skip, free of charge, for the owners to use to deposit the waste materials.”
“Under no circumstances would Trafford council prosecute for fly tipping in this case.”
Willow Farm Stables, Urmston where flooded, and the fields that surround it, remain so
(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
The council statement added: “We are very sorry to hear how the farm and stables have been so badly affected by the terrible floods that impacted large parts of the borough.”
The stables sit on an ‘island’, inside a bend of the River Mersey, further enclosed by Old Eea Brook. The site also houses Manchester Boarding Kennels. Four dogs sadly died in the flooding.
Flooding at Willow Farm Stables and Manchester Boarding Kennels following the New Year’s Day floods
(Image: Submitted)
Paul said: “I’ve never known anything like it. The way it came up, the speed… it just wasn’t right. I’ve seen some big floods around here, but this was a different league altogether. It was scary.
“But everyone just got involved and got stuck in to help.”
Luckily, water surrounding the stables was not deep enough to endanger horses, who were quickly moved to higher ground.
But Paul said he fears it will be at least a month until things are back to normal. The barn was flooded and several thousands of pounds’ worth of hay was ruined.