Council facing '˜constant battle' to deal with illegal dumping

Illegal dumping near Ards Drive in Monkstown. Pic courtesy of Three Mile Water Conservation and Angling Association. INNT 07-811CON

Local political and community representatives have voiced concerns about fly-tipping in several areas of Newtownabbey, warning that the situation seems to be getting worse.

Speaking to the Times this week, DUP Councillor Stephen Ross said: “Dumping in areas such as the Ballyduff Road and Campbell Road has caused a real problem. It is a constant battle for the council staff to keep on top of it.

“The council has spent thousands providing two recycling centres, with the newest one being on the O’Neill Road. Unfortunately, even with these centres people still dump rubbish illegally. We have a finite amount of funding and if money is being spent on lifting rubbish, it can’t be spent on other areas that the residents want.”

Illegal dumping in the Campbell Road area of New Mossley. INNT 07-813CON

Members of the Three Mile Water Conservation and Angling Association have noticed the problem becoming worse in the Ards Drive area of Monkstown.

Deputy chair of the group, Andrew Moore, raised the issue with the council last week (Thursday).

“The problem of illegal dumping close to the river has got worse over recent weeks,” he explained. “There are bags of domestic rubbish including food packets and containers as well as larger items such as drawer units, beds, old mattresses, trampolines, swings and carpets. Physically our club has to remove these things from the river because it rolls down the hill into the water. It is an eyesore and causes a problem for wildlife. The dumping is close to the Newtownabbey Way path. It is taking away from the aesthetic and amenity values of the area.”

A spokesperson from Antrim and Newtownabbey Council commented: “Council received a complaint on February 11 in relation to illegal dumping in the wooded area at the bottom of Ards Drive and have made arrangements for its removal.

“No complaints have been received in relation to illegal dumping on the Campbell Road and no waste was observed on a visit to the area today. The council will continue to investigate all complaints in relation to illegal dumping within the borough.”