Public help sought to tip the balance in war on dumping

Recent dumping in Dromara has prompted a council appeal for public support and a fresh crackdown on fly-tipping across the borough.
Items recently dumped at Aughnaskeagh Road, Dromara - members of the public are encouraged to contact the council if they have any information on the offender.Items recently dumped at Aughnaskeagh Road, Dromara - members of the public are encouraged to contact the council if they have any information on the offender.
Items recently dumped at Aughnaskeagh Road, Dromara - members of the public are encouraged to contact the council if they have any information on the offender.

Household waste, including an exercise bicycle and a lawnmower, was dumped on land at Dromara’s Aughnaskeagh Road.

Investigating the incident, Armagh city, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council appealed to the public to provide any information which might help identify the culprit(s).

A spokesperson said: “Combatting fly tipping is one of the council’s top priorities, but they also need the help of the public to win the fight.

“A lot of hard work is being put into catching offenders with CCTV cameras and signage erected in hot-spot areas, as well as regular patrols by council Environmental Wardens.

“However, some residents are still dumping unwanted items throughout the Borough, including tyres, appliances and household waste, so the council is asking anyone who may witness such activity or knows who may have dumped some items to come forward and report it.”

Chair of the council’s Environmental Services Committee, Alderman Arnold Hatch, added: “We are very proactive when it comes to catching offenders but there are still those irresponsible people who continue to dump their waste illegally and we need the help of the public in these cases.

“Each case of fly-tipping needs to be cleaned up, so ultimately it is the ratepayer who pays the price.

“This is why we are appealing to residents to report anything they may know including vehicle registration numbers, colour and type of vehicle, times and dates, so that these extra clean-up jobs can be reduced and in turn save our ratepayers money.” An offender caught fly-tipping can currently face fines of up to £50,000 depending on the severity of the case.

The council has nine recycling centres across the borough that can be used for the disposal of additional household waste, including Scarva Road, Banbridge; Mossvale Road, Dromore and Ballyroney Road, Rathfriland. Residents are also reminded they are not permitted to leave waste outside recycling centres when they are closed and cameras are in operation at those sites.

Centre opening times and bin collection details can be found on the council website.

A bulk refuse collection service is also available for larger items of household waste at a charge of £6 per lift of up to three items.

A collection can be arranged for the Banbridge area on 028 4066 0604.