Appeal for ‘action on the ground’ to tackle littering
A Sinn Féin councillor has said Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) must match its stated commitments on tackling littering and fly-tipping with real action on the ground.
Cllr. Aidan Mathers raised the ongoing issues at the council’s recent Strategy, Policy and Resources Committee.
“NMDDC has a clear responsibility to ensure our city and district are properly cleansed,” he said.
“That means having the right resources, procurement processes and staff training in place as standard, not putting them in motion only after serious litter problems are routinely highlighted.
“Residents and ratepayers rightfully expect and deserve clean, safe and well-maintained areas, particularly on key routes into Newry.
“Serious littering issues continue to be evident at the slip roads at the Camlough Road roundabout/ Egyptian Arch, at Cloughoge and Barcroft area; all locations we are actively pushing for action on.
“While staff training and safety are paramount, this only underlines the need for long-term, sustainable planning to properly tackle littering and fly-tipping,” he added.
“These arrangements should already have been embedded within a multi-year strategy rather than introduced in a reactive way.
“The Department for Infrastructure has played its part and now it is time for the council to do its job and deliver the level of cleansing residents and ratepayers rightly expect and deserve,” he said.
“Sinn Féin will continue to push for meaningful action to ensure NMDDC delivers a clean city and district for everyone all year round.”