People can help reduce littering in resort

People can help reduce littering in resort

28 July 2021

PEOPLE across the district have been urged to play a key role in helping keep towns and villages litter free.

The appeal has been issued by South Down MLA Colin McGrath and Mournes councillor Laura Devlin who met recently with local council officials to discuss concerns around litter in the Newcastle area.

Mr McGrath said many businesses are suffering at present due to sickness and staff shortages, suggesting that people must do everything in their power to support them as well as residents who want to enjoy the beauty of local surroundings.  

“Ensuring Newcastle is clean is what people expect and deserve,” the MLA declared.

“As a result, extra council resources were deployed to Newcastle from last Friday, while the so-called scrubber sweeper will be used to clean pavements. A number of larger litter bins have also been provided which has had a positive affect.”

Welcoming the local authority’s response to address the issue, Mr McGrath confirmed that he will be meeting with council officials again and hopes the additional cleansing measures will be in place until the end of the summer.

He added: “I would also ask people to play their part and respect our locality. Each and every one of us has a role to play in maintaining our environment and I want to thank those who have helped in the past and continue to help with community litter picks.”

Cllr Devlin revealed that she has received many complaints about the poor state of pavements in the resort over recent weeks and the general cleanliness of the in recent weeks. She contacted council officials who outlined the major shortages that exist in terms of employees within the cleansing team at present.

She added: “I made it clear that my issues and those of the public should in no way take away from the superb, hard work of the cleansing staff on the ground each day. My point was that there simply wasn’t enough of them when we see the huge number of visitors in Newcastle.”