by Alan Healy
Traders in the city centre have called for stricter action to be taken against those responsible for illegally dumping bags of waste at a lane way close to their premises.
The issue of illegal dumping at the lane way in William Street, which lies close to a number of fast food outlets, was first raised in March of this year.
The concerns were raised by the owners of a number of businesses, with Derry City and Strabane Council stating that it would carry out an investigation to identify those responsible.
However, the problem has persisted, with traders saying that the indiscriminate dumping has results in rat infestations.
Speaking to the Derry News, Lee Quinn, owner of Busty’s Chippy, said traders in the area are becoming increasingly frustrated with what they see as the lack of action being taken against those who persistently dump bags of rubbish at the lane.
“There are bins belonging to the food places around the area, but there are still some people dumping random stuff everywhere,” he said.
“Now the environmental health officers are very strict on us as food business owners to keep our standards high, yet this situation has continued, causing infestations of all kinds from birds to vermin.”
He added: “It needs to be resolved urgently.”
Commenting, a spokesperson for Derry City and Strabane District Council said that workers would be sent to clear the rubbish away and also seek to identify those responsible for the dumping.
“The council is aware of the rubbish left in an alley way in William Street,” the spokesperson said.
“The relief operation after the recent floods is currently taking priority but Council workers will be sent to clear the current rubbish as soon as possible.
“Council takes cases of illegal dumping very seriously and does everything in its power to identify the culprits and issue fixed penalty notices.”
The spokesperson also encouraged anyone with excess rubbish to dispose of it at their nearest recycling centre.
A full list of Council’s recycling services is available online at www.derrystrabane.com/service/wasterecycling/centres.
A direct helpline for all refuse, bulky and street cleaning issues is available on 028 71 374 107. For information on refuse enforcement contact the Enforcement Section at 028 71 253 253 Ext 6868 or e mail wasteenforcement@derrystrabane.com
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