Messy, messy banks of Loch Lomond
ONE of Britain’s most scenic beauty spots is so marred by litter it has hired a specialist troubleshooter to tackle the problem.
Loch Lomond, in West Dunbartonshire, has employed a “litter prevention manager” after campaigners hit out at the amount of rubbish covering the area.
The Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority took action after a wave of complaints about plastic waste, abandoned camping gear and tin cans. It is understood a troubleshooter has now been hired. The advertised salary was between £36,000 and £43,000.
The full job description said: “This is a unique opportunity to play a significant role in driving positive change across the national park, where addressing the issue of litter is one of our top priorities in our fiveyear plan.
“You will be responsible for developing our litter strategy, building excellent relationships with key stakeholders, using your knowledge and experience to work with a broad range of partners to develop and then implement a joined-up litter strategy for the national park.”
A string of pictures have been uploaded to Twitter and Facebook from tourists who said their visit was ruined by plastic bags full of people’s waste countryside.
Burnt-out cars, abandoned tyres and other rubbish have also been left on lay-bys and verges.
Nick Kempe, a member of the executive committee of the Scottish Campaign for National Parks, said he welcomed the appointment, but had several reservations.
He said: “I think the reason they have employed such a well-paid person is that they are meant to be working together in partnership with local authorities and they have failed to do so for several years.
“You might raise eyebrows about it being a senior management post, but I suspect what they are attempting to do is try to give some leadership across the local authorities that make up the area. Litter in the countryside is a big issue. A post is not going to do this on its own – it needs political support to make everybody work together and create a workable strategy.”
A spokesman from the Loch Lomond National Park Authority said: “Our new litter prevention manager will play a vital role with stakeholders throughout the national park to prevent litter spoiling the natural beauty of the area.”
The national park attracts more than four million visitors every year. It was immortalised in the folk song The Bonnie Banks o’ Loch Lomond. scattered Boyfriend Ceon Broughton across the THE video made by the boyfriend of Holby City star John Michie’s daughter showing her dying of an overdose lasted almost an hour, a court heard yesterday.
Ceon Broughton, 29, gave Louella Fletcher-Michie, 24, the drug 2-CP at the Bestival musical festival at Lulworth Castle, Dorset.
Then as the drug took effect he recorded her at first shouting “this is the best trip I have ever ******* had”, then begging Broughton to “call my mum” and “call my brother, call my sister” as she became ill.
Jurors were told Louella’s mother, Carol FletcherMichie, “dropped everything” and travelled with Mr Michie, 62, to the festival site but Louella was found dead there at around 1am.
Broughton, of Enfield, north London, denies manslaughter and supplying Louella the drug on September 11, 2017.
The trial continues. Increasing levels of litter have blighted Loch Lomond, with bags of waste, top, and camping gear, right, a major poblem. People have even littered next to official signs, left. The beauty spot, below, gets four million visitors a year
‘It’s a vital role to prevent litter spoiling the natural beauty’
Louella with actor father John Michie