Extra litter patrols at Love Lane and Taylor’s Avenue

The two areas, which have in the past been identified as blackspots for dog fouling and littering, are to be given extra attention by wardens from Carrickfergus Borough Council.

Councillors were informed of the decision at Monday night’s meeting of the Environmental Services Committee.

“We currently have staff patrolling the Love Lane and Taylor’s Avenue areas every day during the week, but we have started to do some patrols at night,” said director of Environmental Services, Alan Barkley.

Welcoming the news, Councillor Billy Ashe said: “I was out on my bike the other evening and when I was cycling down Love Lane, I couldn’t even go in a straight line because of all of the rubbish that was on the ground. It’s particularly bad over the weekend.”

Indicating that Love Lane was also one of the worst locations in the borough for dog fouling, Cllr Ashe said that residents had made a number of “completely justified” complaints over the appearance of the area.

Responding, Mr Barkley confirmed that the possibility of having officers patrol the areas during the appropriate times at the weekend would be examined.

Cllr John Stewart suggested the service could be paid for through the fixed penalty system used to fine those caught littering.

Meanwhile, a pilot project which rewards good citizenship is to conclude at the end of September.

The ‘Bin it, win it’ scheme sees enforcement officers take the names and details of local residents who they have witnessed clearing up after their dogs and binning their litter.

The resident is then entered into a monthly prize draw to win £50 worth of vouchers for businesses and services in the borough.