Downpatrick’s ‘filthy’ paths to be scrubbed

Downpatrick’s ‘filthy’ paths to be scrubbed

31 July 2013

DOWNPATRICK’S dirty streets are a turn off for visitors, the head of the town’s Chamber of Commerce has claimed.

Tracey Quail’s comment comes after Down Council confirmed that after repeated requests from the town’s business community for its granite footpaths to be cleaned, they are at last to be power washed.

The chamber official revealed that a visitor stopped her in Market Street recently and enquired why the footpaths in the town centre were so grubby and dirty.

“The paths are an absolute disgrace. They are filthy and have not been cleaned for several years. What an image to present to visitors, especially at this time of the year,” declared Ms. Quail.

Around £3m was spent on a town centre environmental improvement scheme in Downpatrick several years ago. The granite paths that were laid similar to those provided in a similar public realm scheme in Newcastle.

While the paths in the resort have been power washed on several occasions, traders in Downpatrick were concerned that their calls for similar work were being “ignored” by Down Council.

“Our town centre paths are grubby and dirty and it’s clear to see that they have not been cleaned in a long time,” the Chamber of Commerce official continued.

“While paths in Newcastle are being cleaned we in Downpatrick are being overlooked. I have raised the cleaning issue with council officials on a number of occasions and at long last there is to be some movement. Better late than never I suppose.”

Ms. Quail suggested that in addition to addressing the dirty pavement issue, Down Council should ensure the streets are kept clean at all times, highlighting concern about the number of cigarette butts across the town centre.

“When a stranger stops and asks why the footpaths in Downpatrick are so dirty, then you know you have a problem. Many traders have also suggested that the dirty streets are a health and safety issue,” she continued.

“When you close up on a Saturday evening and return on Monday morning, the footpaths look even dirtier. Sometimes they are stained with vomit, blood and spilt alcohol.”

Ms. Quail said she hopes that when the footpaths in Downpatrick are eventually cleaned within the next few weeks that a regular cleaning programme will be implemented thereafter.

She added: “Downpatrick attracts its fair share of visitors and we must make sure that our footpaths are not only clean for them, but for our own people and indeed the business community. It is not too much to ask, is it?”

A Down Council spokeswoman said the organisation has a programme in place to maintain the cleanliness of streets in both Newcastle and Downpatrick. 

She said a contractor will be appointed shortly to have the streets in Downpatrick deep cleaned by the end of next month or during the first week in September. 

The spokeswoman said the council would ask businesses in towns to help maintain the cleanliness of the pavements in the main pedestrian areas by undertaking some light washing around their premises.