Cross border approach proposed to tackle flytipping in Newry

by Gráinne Connolly

A motion has been put forward to Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, to take a cross border approach to tackle flytipping across the district. 

According to Councillor Mickey Larkin, it's become a particularly bad problem in the Mourne, Cooley and Gullion regions. 

The Slieve Gullion representative said, "Our own district has the highest level of fly-tipping in the North. 

"The council spends in the region of £18.40 per head of population on it's street cleansing budget which includes litter picking and lifting of illegal dumping. 

"This equates to approximately £3,000,000 annually which is an enormous drain on finances. Ultimately it is the rate payer who pays the bill for those who desecrate our beautiful countryside”.

Meanwhile, the Councillor has proposed the Council increased co-operation with Louth County Council in an effort to address the problem.

He says, "We  are calling for a review of penalties for dumping to reflect the increasing costs to the Council and Rate Payers of this District. 

"My Sinn Féin colleague, Cllr Antoin Watters brought forward a similar motion to Louth County Council  with a view to placing this high on the agenda of the joint committee which deals with issues affecting both Councils"

It was agreed at the same meeting, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council would contact both Louth County Council and Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council "with a view to addressing fly tipping in a unified way; addressing enforcement action in conjunction with the NIEA; to carry out a fly tipping review and market the message of zero tolerance; to write to the relevant Department raising concerns and requesting prompt action."