Ashbrook Estate not a dump site

Agnes Beresford said she is fed up with people using the driveway and garden at her home as an unofficial dump rather than visiting one of the town’s official sites or their own dustbins.

“I am totally furious,” she said. “I am on the war path.”

“I am too old to be picking up someone else’s rubbish. I should be able to enjoy myself and have a relaxing retirement. Instead I am out in the rain, picking up other people’s rubbish.

“I was so pleased to see what a good job the staff at Derry City and Strabane District Council did yesterday [Thursday], tidying up the road. Well done them. I was so pleased that I was inspired to go out and tidy up my garden.

“I went with a friend, Bernard, to do some tidying myself and he started looking on the inside of the wall and began pulling out all the rubbish. We had an absolute pile of rubbish and domestic waste within about 30 yards of wall.

“It was looking so nice, but overnight you want to see the amount of rubbish that has been dumped along the road, in my drive and behind the garden wall. I am sick of it,” she said.

“It seems to be that the people who drive down Ardmore Road, or walk along the road are using our property as an alternative to the town dump and recycling site. I am fed up picking up other people’s rubbish, I have better things to do.”

Mrs Beresford-Ash said she had reported the matter to the council, but noted they were not responsible for lifting rubbish on private properties.

“I decided to lift all the rubbish and do three trips to the Waterside recycling site. So, I am very proud, but very cross. People have already started littering the road again with cans and bottles,” she said.

A spokesperson for the Council said that while Council has no legal responsibility to clear waste on private property, it regularly receives complaints and officers work closely with individuals and communities to address the issue.

The Council spokesperson said that it actively encourages the public to dispose of excess waste at local recycling centres or to avail of the Council’s bulky waste service. A full list of recycling centres and their opening times are available on the council website/

Fines of up to £2,500 can be imposed following successful prosecution for indiscriminate dumping.