Criticism as illegal dumping increases

Criticism as illegal dumping increases

22 June 2016

A DOWNPATRICK businessman has called on Newry, Mourne and Down Council and Transport NI to work together to address a series of issues at the Irish Street car park in Downpatrick.

Oliver Sloan said thoughtless people are dumping rubbish at part of the car park where businesses based in Market Lane have their waste bins located. He said domestic waste bins belonging to people who live in flats at the entrance to the car park are not being emptied either.

The businessman is so concerned at what is happening that he has taken it upon himself to clean the lane-way which leads to the car park and also put poison down after rats were spotted in the area.

Mr Sloan said the poor state of the Irish Street car park is not the fault of residents or business owners, but is concerned about the negative image a car park littered with waste sends out. He said business is hard enough in the town centre without people using a very popular car park as a dump.

“I have raised my concern with the council on several occasions and this situation cannot be allowed to continue,” he declared. “Parts of the car park entrance and the main car park itself are a disgrace and the authorities need to act.”

Mr Sloan said emptying the bins belonging to residents who live in the flats would be an important first step to help address the situation.

“I am all for people living in town centres, but it is important their waste bins are collected. In addition, people should not be using a popular car park as a dumping ground. The car park needs to be properly maintained and weeds growing in many parts of it removed. We want to send out a positive image of our town, not a negative one,” he continued.

Mr Sloan said he hopes the local council will respond to the concerns he has raised and work to ensure this busy part of the town is maintained and cleaned regularly.

He added: “Town centre business is hard enough and the last thing any of us want to see is a car park used as a dump and black domestic bins not emptied. Given the number of people who use the Irish Street car park it should be maintained considerably better than it is at present.

“When people come to visit Downpatrick we all want to provide them with a positive image, but that isn’t happening at this particular car park at the moment. More must be done to keep one of the busiest parts of the town clean and people should know to dispose of their waste properly.”

A Newry, Mourne and Down Council spokeswoman confirmed the local authority is responsible for cleaning the entrance to the Irish Street car park, with Transport NI in charge of the main parking area.

“The entrance to the car park was cleaned by council staff last Sunday as per the normal cleaning schedule, but we have since received reports of fly tipping at this location,” she continued. “The council’s environmental services enforcement section will investigate this matter and seek to address the fly tipping problems at this area.”