United against litter

United against litter

6 November 2013

BUSINESS leaders across the district have united in their call for Down Council to make tackling the district’s litter problem its number one priority.

They want the local authority to invest money to tackle an issue which they warn is having a detrimental impact on many towns and villages.

Business leaders say there is increasing concern about the amount of rubbish and dog dirt littering streets and public areas and that the time has come to get tough with those responsible.

The business community is also urging people to show more respect for their towns and villages and to take a pride in the areas in which they live.

Down Council is planning to appoint additional litter wardens in an attempt to get to grips with the litter problem, but the staff won’t be recruited until the new financial year.

Business leaders and regeneration officials in Downpatrick, Newcastle, Ballynahinch and Saintfield say there is a clear need for more money to be invested now keep district streets free from litter and dog dirt.

Tracey Quail, head of Downpatrick Chamber of Commerce, described the litter and dog fouling problem in the town centre as “horrendous” and said it is essential Down Council does more to get to grips with the problem.

“Down Council has failed to tackle this issue and it’s clear that the public needs to be more responsible. The street cleaners we have do a good job but there are clearly not enough of them,” she declared.

“There will be a cost associated with employing additional staff, but this is something that needs to be done to keep our district clean. Dirty streets which are littered with dog dirt is not the impression we want to give to visitors to Downpatrick or any other part of the district,” she added.

Ballynahinch Chamber of Commerce chairman, Mark Murnin, said litter and dog fouling issues are a “major concern” for many people. He said while the situation in the town centre is reasonably good, the same cannot be said at a number of housing areas and the picturesque Riverside Walk.

“I would welcome any initiative aimed at keeping our streets clean and creating new employment. Litter and dog dirt are issues we clearly need to tackle,” he continued. “We need to show our towns in a good light. Additional staff on the ground will no doubt help, but local people also need to be more responsible.”

Martyn Todd, head of Saintfield Regeneration Committee, revealed local volunteers work to help keep the town’s main streets clean. He also said there needs to be a strong deterrent with people prosecuted for ping litter and allowing dogs to foul public areas.

“We need to target the small percentage of people who are spoiling our towns for the large majority,” he declared. “Do we need to tackle the litter and dog fouling problem across our district, the answer is absolutely, definitely, yes.”

“We have 10 volunteers who put in quite a few hours helping remove litter from the streets in Saintfield,” said Mr. Todd, who believes an increase in the numbers prosecuted for litter offences will send out a strong message that such behaviour won’t be tolerated.

Newcastle businesswoman, Mrs. Audrey Byrne, former head of the town’s Chamber of Commerce, believes all councils in Northern Ireland need to join forces to help tackle the litter and dog fouling issue.

“Cleansing staff work hard in Newcastle but there are irresponsible people who drop litter and let their dogs use open spaces, such as our lovely promenade, as a toilet. This attitude needs to change,” she declared.

“Education has a key role to play and all councils should work together to eradicate a problem which is noticed by visitors. I would support any move to make our district cleaner.”