Amenity site chaos sparks accusations

Amenity site chaos sparks accusations

11 January 2012 - by DAVID TELFORD

DOWN Council’s management of the Cloonagh Road recycling centre in Downpatrick has been severely criticised by businessmen in the area.

Entrances to a number of business premises were blocked last Friday afternoon amid chaotic scenes due to a long queue of vehicles wishing to use the recycling facility.

As a result, customers couldn’t get to a number of premises and several scheduled deliveries had to be cancelled due to the gridlock. Businessmen say the blame lies with the local council which decided to close the recycling facility on Wednesdays and Thursdays as part of a cost-cutting measure, resulting in increasing numbers of people using it on a Friday.

Businessmen argue the savings generated as result of the two-day closure are minimal and closing such a well used facility just a week after Christmas “simply beggars belief.” They believe the management of the Cloonagh Road facility is “amateurish” and that serious questions need to be addressed.

Businessmen claimed only one member of staff was initially on duty at the recycling centre last Friday with the council forced to draft in additional personnel to deal with the huge numbers of people wanting to get rid of their waste.

They say the centre must return to seven day opening, otherwise their businesses are going to suffer.

Mr. Jim Fitzsimons, of BPF Pumps, said for many months businesses at the Cloonagh Road have effectively been cut off as a result of the number of vehicles wishing to use the recycling facility. He said the traffic problems have impacted on delivery and distribution for a number of firms, creating “unwanted commercial pressures.”

Mr. Fitzsimons said last Friday a delivery driver en route to his firm had to turn and leave the area because of the traffic congestion.

“The short-sighted decision to close the recycling centre mid-week, with minimal savings and particularly after the Christmas peak rubbish production period beggars belief. It also resulted in fly-tipping at the entrance to the centre creating a health risk from vermin.

“The problem in this area is further compounded by the insistence of the nearby driving test facility and therefore driving instructors having learners perform three-point turns in exactly the same crowded area — an accident waiting to happen.

“In this era of increased awareness and legislation relating to health and safety, it’s ironic that a public authority to which we all pay exorbitant rates, is actually the cause of additional potential risk to public and commercial sectors,” he added.

Mr. Ken Turley, of Down Hire Centre, has been forced to place a sign outside his premises, asking people not to block the entrance to his business.

“What’s needed is a little common sense. The recycling centre should never have been closed two days a week; the consequences of the decision are now clear for all to see. The guys who work at the recycling facility do a great job but they are struggling with the sheer volume of waste going into the place.

“The two-day closure means more people use the centre on Friday. More people means more cars and more congestion which blocks the entrances to businesses along the Cloonagh Road. We are the people who are suffering most. Traffic congestion is impacting on businesses at a time when everyone is finding it tough,” declared Mr. Turley.