Council considers 'no flyer zone'

The council said it had received complaints about discarded leaflets

A group of Greater Manchester councillors are to vote on whether they want their town to become a flyer-free zone.

The move comes as part of a bid to curb problems with unsightly litter on streets and footpaths in Oldham caused by discarded promotional leaflets.

Distributors could also face being charged a fee.

The new rules would not apply to leafleting for religious, charitable or political purposes.

Anyone distributing free printed matter must also wear a visible authorisation badge and keep records about their staff activities.

Fixed-penalty notice

The proposed zone is bounded by Oldham Way to the south, King Street to the west, and continues to the north along St Mary's Way, Rock Street, Beever Street and Yorkshire Street down to Mumps.

Councillor Mark Alcock, from the environment and infrastructure department, said: "We've had many complaints from the public about masses of flyers being left strewn on streets and footpaths in the town centre."

Under this scheme leaflets must be offered to passers by and cannot be left unattended for the people to take at their discretion.

Distributors must also ensure that they remove all their discarded matter from the zone when they have finished work.

If they do not, they will initially get an £80 fixed-penalty notice, and persistent offenders will not be allowed to leaflet.