Concerns over ongoing littering problem on the A6

Locals have raised concerns over an ongoing littering problem along the A6 road.

Over the last number of months, there has been an increase in the amount of rubbish which has been discarded at the side of the dual carriageway.

One concerned local said the issue continues to get worse.

“The A6 dual carriage way is littered with rubbish, the storm drains and gullies have mounds of plastic bottles accumulating on top of them. The drain at the Baranailt Road as you exit the A6 from the Derry direction, for example, has a small mountain of bottles, cans and other trash building there day by day, which was cleared once since the new dual carriageway opened, and in that instance it was cleared by a member of the public, not the Department for Infrastructure (DfI). This is typical of many drains along the length of the A6. Take a look at the last drain, Derry bound, before you approach the roundabout Drumahoe. It’s been cluttered for months,” said the person, who preferred not to be named. 

“The grass hasn’t been mowed this year yet, and that’s probably not a bad thing as it hides the mess and when the grass cutting teams eventually do arrive, the rubbish isn’t lifted before mowing, it’s simply shredded by the machines and large amounts of it left in a mess of plastic confetti.

“We understand the problem isn’t unique to the A6 - the entire countryside is currently being blighted by folks chucking rubbish from their cars, cans, lorries, tractors etc. There are quite a few locals who actually take it on themselves to litter pick from time to time, in excess of 10 bin bags were cleared only for it to end up as bad as ever again. We have noticed that a single strip has been mowed along the verges but the litter is effectively everywhere. It’s an issue that comes up time after time.”

Speaking on the ongoing issue of littering on the A6 a spokesperson for Derry City and Strabane District Council said: “The Council has been liaising with the Department for Infrastructure regarding litter picking along the A6 and awaiting confirmation of the Department’s grass cutting plans for the coming weeks. Whilst Council has responsibility for litter picking the A6, this can only be done safely with the appropriate traffic control arrangements in place given the 70mph speed limit on the road.”

A spokesperson for the DfI added: “Grass cutting operations are carried out by the Department specifically for road safety reasons and not for cosmetic or amenity purposes. Our approach focuses on protecting wildlife and promoting biodiversity, without compromising on road safety.

“Works such as grass cutting and gully emptying on high-speed dual carriageways are carefully planned and programmed to ensure safety of operatives and the public. Weekend night works have recently been completed on the A2 and works have now started on the A6 to cut the verges and clean and empty the drainage channels and gully’s. The responsibility for litter picking along the A6 lies with the local council. The Department is working closely with the council to coordinate these works.

“The public can report an issue with roadside grass, weeds, hedges or trees at nidirect.gov.uk/services/roadside-grass-cutting-weeds-and-overgrown-hedges-or-trees .”

Local councillor for the area Juile Middleton told the County Derry Post she has been liaising with DFI on this ongoing issue and would urge the public to refrain from littering.