A major clean up of an “appalling” Newry litter problem has reached a significant step closer as the council looks to engage CCTV to help tackle the issue.
The Department for Infrastructure has now also confirmed it is in talks with Newry Mourne and Down District Council to clear a rubbish pile-up from some 16 years since the road was opened.
The council’s environment committee has now agreed to further work with its neighbouring Louth County Council in a bid to discourage future car window litter on its busy A1 bypass.
In chambers, Newry SDLP councillor Doire Finn said: “I think fly-tipping is something of a particular scourge in Newry. One thing that drives me insane is people throwing rubbish out of cars.
“We’ve seen this particular issue along the A1 slip roads and there are mixed reports on the responsibility of those areas. I think it is really important that this type of CCTV technology is brought in to see who is responsible for throwing rubbish.
“It is just appalling the amount of litter that we have left there, for people to see that on our natural environment coming into the city is a disgrace.”
The amount of litter along the A1 has been further revealed as bushes and grass verges have recently been cut back to expose the strewn materials.
DfI and NMDDC had been at loggerheads for some time over the responsibility of the clear up of litter along the A1 bypass.
Following a Local Democracy Reporter Service investigation in March 2023, the council admitted responsibility for clearing litter from a large section of the Newry A1 bypass.
The council then pledged to liaise with the DfI to set up a safe way for its staff to pick up the litter using impact protection vehicles, but the department recently told the LDRS on February 11 that it “has not been contacted” by the council over a potential A1 clean-up.
However, at the recent environment committee on February 18, an officer said: “The council is collaborating with DfI in relation to the slip roads.
“It is a complex matter in terms of the practicalities and safety issues of collecting litter in these high-speed areas. We are looking at the next time the road verges are cut that we carry out litter picks in conjunction with this.
“I will be happy to share the work on collaboration with other bodies with members going forward.”
The LDRS contacted DfI to clarify the claims of the council.
A DfI spokesperson said: “The department has recently received correspondence from the council regarding collaboration on a number of issues including the cleansing of the A1 carriageway.
“Officials are due to meet with the council soon to progress these matters.”
