by Gareth Cross

There have been calls for a solution into ongoing issues related to littering and the dumping of waste at a site for the Travelling community in Derry.

The issue came to light at a meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council's Environment and Regeneration Committee in Strabane last week, during a discussion on the Ballyarnett Travellers’ Site.

At the meeting councillors heard that 'issues have arisen at the site and its environs in terms of littering and associated issues'.

The Housing Executive are currently responsible for operating the site and a council officer told the meeting that 'officers have suggested that the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) increase the number of residual bins located at the site, ensuring that there is two-week capacity available, and that these would be emptied on a fortnightly basis'.

"In addition to this officers also advised that council staff could visit the site with NIHE staff to engage with residents to advise on recycling, waste management etc. to encourage use of recycling services enabling council to collect any bins presented on the recycling week thereby alleviating pressure on the residual bins."

Responding, SDLP councillor Brian Tierney said that his reading was that 'council is telling me it's not their problem'.

He told the meeting that it was not a case of 'build it and they will come’.

Cllr Tierney added that the site had a constantly changing number of people so any estimation was 'guess work'.

He told the meeting that bins in the area were often overflowing as there were 'too many people' on the site.

Cllr Tierney said he felt the solution was 'at least' a once weekly bin collection.

The council officer replied saying that he didn't have a vehicle available to perform a weekly collection.

He said this would take additional funds and would have to be approved by councillors.

The DUP’s David Ramsey said from experience caravanning such sites often have rubbish lifted daily.

He suggested that each property on the site should have their own blue and black bin to help tackle the issue.

Alderman Ramsey said it was a 'very difficult situation' that needed to be costed appropriately because of the responsibility to ratepayers.

Meanwhile, Sinn Fein councillor Sandra Duffy said that she was 'really disappointed' with the report and that there were 'major issues' in the area.

She told the meeting that the problem was creating health and safety issues and that councils 'do nothing approach' was 'not good enough'.

Cllr Duffy said there was a collective responsibility to bring the site up to an acceptable standard

The council officer replied to the criticism saying council had been trying to deal with the issue for 'years' but had not found a solution.

He stressed that council had to operate within a budget and fixed amount of resources.

UUP councillor Derek Hussey accused the Housing Executive of a 'dereliction of duty' and accused the residents of 'irresponsible behaviour'.

Alderman Hussey said that a private firm may have to be brought in to clear the rubbish.

The proposal was passed by councillors.

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