Waste left rotting on Tyrella Beach

Waste left rotting on Tyrella Beach

8 June 2016

COUNCIL officials have been severely criticised for leaving 30 bags of waste to rot in searing temperatures at Tyrella’s award winning beach.

In the same week as Tyrella retained its prestigious Blue Flag status, residents have denounced Newry, Mourne and Down Council for not removing the waste which was collected two weeks ago by children taking part in a beach clean.

Residents say it is not the first time bags of waste collected during clean-ups have not been removed and argue it’s somewhat ironic that a beach recognised as being world class for its facilities and water quality, can be left in such a state.

The coveted Blue Flag status recognises the highest standard of visitor facilities and brackets beaches which secure it in the first class category. But Tyrella residents say they are fed up that the efforts of young people to keep the picturesque beach clean are being ignored by the local authority.

One concerned resident said the bags of waste have been lying exposed to high temperatures during the recent heatwave and that the local authority should be “ashamed” for not removing them.

The man, who did not want to be named, said he made contact with council officials on several occasions to have the bags removed but was not successful.

“We have school children doing the council’s job for it by cleaning this beach and yet the local authority can’t be bothered to remove the bags of waste they have collected. It is disgraceful,” he declared.

“There are regular clean-ups at Tyrella and the waste collected by those taking part can often lie for several weeks before being removed. How can this possibly be allowed to happen at an award winning beach?”

The recent good weather attracted hundreds of people to Tyrella with the bags of rubbish waiting to be removed in full view of visitors. Concerned residents insist the image this portrays does nothing to enhance Tyrella’s reputation.

He continued: “Tyrella has retained its Blue Flag status, but leaving bags of rubbish lying on the beach for several weeks will get this place a bad name and that is something no one wants. How hard can it be to send a council vehicle to the beach to pick up bags of rubbish?

“The kids who take part in regular clean-ups do a terrific job and their efforts are greatly appreciated by those of us who live at Tyrella. It is a total disgrace the rubbish they collect can’t be taken away promptly.”

The resident added: “Council officials need to ensure this situation is not repeated. We can’t have visitors coming to an award winning beach to be greeted by bags of rubbish. What is the problem.”

A spokeswoman for Newry, Mourne and Down Council said the bags was not removed because of an error.

“Newry, Mourne and Down District Council appreciates the excellent work done by school children on the Tyrella beach clean up and we regret that due to an oversight, the bags were not immediately collected,” she said “Arrangements have been made for the collection of the bags tomorrow.  Plans have now been put in place to ensure that this situation does not occur again.”