Stockport Council have been working in partnership with the Environment Agency to clean-up a stretch of the River Mersey where approximately two tonnes of waste was taken away including tyres, pallets and street cones.
The clean-up operation started from the Bear Pit by the bus station in the Town Centre to Burnage Rugby Club.
The Leader of Stockport Council, Councillor Sue Derbyshire, said:
“This clean-up operation is a good example of positive partnership work between different agencies. The clean-up operation has made a real difference to the appearance of this stretch of the River Mersey.”
Paul Heaton for the Environment Agency said,
“We were approached by Stockport Council requesting support in order to clean-up the River Mersey. Debris in the river, such as shopping trollies, tyres, plastic drums and pallets can cause harm to wildlife and increase flood risk in the area. Specialist Environment Agency teams tracking down the river in boats and on foot clearing out over two tonnes of waste helping to improve the river for all.”
The operation involved site visits prior to the operation to agree which points of the river could be cleared and the exit points for the waste to be taken out. But , in consideraton of the clean-up team’s safety not all areas of the river were accessible. For examle, steep banking and the position of the weirs which created additional hazards meant that it was not possible to clear the entire stretch.
Community Payback also supported the clean-up operation by helping to move the waste onto vehicles to be taken away.