Residents furious at human waste on picturesque beach

IRATE r e s i dents have warned of a potential health risk posed by a build up of human waste on a picturesque Firth of Clyde beach.

This year’s summer heatwave brought a greater number of weekend campers than usual to the village of Por t e ncr o s s in Nor th Ayrshire.

Disgusted residents also witnessed a steady build-up of litter, spoiled bonfires and human faeces.

They have now complained to the local authority about the mess but say that the response given to their concerns was “laughable”.

One local woman, Audrey Naismith Kolon, argued the local landscape was being spoiled and called on the council to recognise the obvious health issues.

She said: “I don’t really have a problem with people camping on the beach; in fact most of them are very

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nice. But the mess they leave behind is just not acceptable and no one seems to be paying attention to this problem.

“They arrive here with a handful of tents and stay for a few days, very few bury or dispose of their waste at all.

“Some have been defecating in and around the rocks and the foreshore and even leaving spoiled toilet paper behind.”

The Ayrshire Costal Path runs through Portencross and many walkers, picnickers and families visit the beach and the remains of Portencross Castle, which dates back century.

Mrs Kolon added: “The council have an obligation to the protection of public health and the implications here are serious.

“Public toilet facilities are few and far between and if the council are unwilling to finance permanent toilets in the area then the least they could do is provide temporary Portaloos during the summer.”

A spokesperson for North Ayrshire Council said: “The site being used by campers is privately owned and its use is the responsibility of the land-owner.

“We do not believe that this is a dedicated campsite and would not expect campsite facilities to be maintained there.

“We would, however, remind people of their responsibilities when enjoying the local countryside so that other local residents and visitors can enjoy this section of the coastline.”

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