‘Illegal dumping must be stopped’
THERE are concerns over dumping on Coney Lane in Ballisadare and also illegal dumping at a field beside the Woodlands Estate in Sligo, according to local Sinn Fein councillor Thomas Healy.
He raised the issue at yesterday’s municipal meeting where he called on Sligo County Council to address the illegal dumping.
He is asking for funding to be made available to clean it up.
Cllr Healy said: “The problem of illegal dumping in as widespread as ever and maybe even worse since the bye-laws were changed in 2013 allowing privatisation of the refuse service.
“I want to highlight two particular areas of concern which I would like to see being tackled by Sligo County Council as soon as possible.
“Two years ago I had a motion adopted to have clearance work carried out at a site in Coney lane outside Ballisadare which has been subject to illegal dumping.
“Signage was erected to discourage dumping but the problem is as bad as ever today. “There is a track giving easier access for cleanups at present and I would like to see that being made use of.
“We also need to consider using the funding available for five new monitoring cameras to catch and convict people with a hefty fine in order to discourage further illegal dumping here,” Cllr Healy said.
“Similarly in the Woodlands Estate in Sligo a field adjacent to the estate which is owned by the H.S.E is subject to extensive dumping of all kinds of rubbish including steel and recyclable electrical.
“There is concern throughout the estate with danger to children and attracting ro- dents. This is an unacceptable situation for residents to be living with and we need to take urgent remedial action here. “We need to ensure funding is available to clean up the area and then preventative action with monitoring and fines for anyone caught. We cannot allow blatant illegal dumping in the middle of town.
“Local Tidy Towns and residents groups will shortly be conducting spring clean ups throughout Sligo town and County. Let’s not allow their good work to be undermined by a few irresponsible individuals,” Cllr Healy added.