Dunwood Park disappearing bins: Council finally replaces missing bins.

There has been a breakthrough in the ongoing Dunwood Park disappearing bins saga.  Residents were left exasperated after the public bins were taken away from Dunwood Park with no explanation and no replacement, leaving rubbish to pile up where the bins had been. 

After intervention and questions from Shaw’s Liberal Democrat councillor Howard Sykes MBE, the council has now installed bins at the back entrance end of the park. 

Councillor Sykes said, “Common sense has prevailed and that is good news for people who use Dunwood Park and do the right thing by throwing away their rubbish properly.  The question is, why does it take public intervention from councillors to shame Oldham Council into acting on very basic things?”

After Sykes slammed the council’s inaction last week, efforts have been made to restore the missing bins at one end of the park.  A response to Councillor Sykes from Oldham Council officers reads:

“Staff completed installation of remaining bins within Dunwood (Park) on Friday 14/06/24.  One has now been installed at Jubilee end; this was always proposed to be fitted but required work to the gate for vehicle access.

All main entrances are now covered by bins and overall capacity for litter has gone from 720 litres prior to 1200 litres now.”  

Councillor Sykes said, “The lack of communication with residents and the Park Friends group over this and other similar basic issues is nowhere near good enough.  People deserve a response and an explanation when they report a complaint to their council.”

“I have been saying that Oldham Council is failing to get the basics right for some time.  Here we have another example of the council running its reputation into the ground by failing on very simple communication with residents.”

More on Dunwood Park disappearing bins:
Disappearing bins: Oldham Council blasted for neglecting Dunwood Park – Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)

Full response to Councillor Sykes from Oldham Council

Good morning

Staff completed installation of remaining bins within Dunwood on Friday 14/06/24. One has now been installed at Jubilee end; this was always proposed to be fitted but required work to the gate for vehicle access.

We have installed an additional bin as per the attached image. This location was intended for the relocation of the Bowling Green bin, however as that area remains a heavily used zone particularly in summer, as such we left it in place and added a 5^th new XL bin.

All main entrances are now covered by bins and overall capacity for litter has gone from 720 ltrs prior to 1200 ltrs now.  

Best wishes,

Acting District Coordinator