By Sarah Curran
SUN-SEEKERS are being urged to take their rubbish home after beaches across the borough were left in an ‘utterly depressing’ state.
With litter piling up at local beauty spots and beaches across Ards and North Down, and with bins having been set alight, local councillors are reminding summer visitors to be respectful of the areas and take their rubbish home.
Recent pictures taken at Helen’s Bay have shown rubbish mounting daily following the recent heatwave, with bins set alight in the area.
There were also reports of a child picking up a syringe, without a needle, earlier this month on the same beach.
In Millisle, bins have been pictured overflowing, with litter strewn around the area, while Bangor’s Eisenhower Pier has also been tortured with litter issues despite being ‘lined with bins’.
Describing the rubbish issue at Helen’s Bay as ‘utterly depressing’, Ards and North Down councillor Alistair Cathcart said that while council staff and litter picker volunteers were great, they were ‘fighting a difficult battle’.
The DUP man continued that what was needed was ‘societal change’.
“People just don’t feel embarrassed or ashamed to drop litter or to cause damage to public property,” he said.
Mr Cathcart continued that while more bins was often the solution levied, he questioned why the public should have to pay for ‘people’s laziness’.
“Waste disposal is already more than a third of the council budget,” he explained. “More bins and more staff, is more ratepayers’ money.”
“People were able to take this stuff to the beach in the first place, they can take it back with them.”
He continued: “Bins are not the silver bullet to address this. We need people to take responsibility for their environment.”
Mr Cathcart added that he had proposed the council look into creating a bylaw to restrict or ban the use of disposable barbecues, noting how they often burnt out council bins.
Urging people to bring their rubbish home, UUP councillor Stephen Hollywood said: “Another year; another instance of anti-social behaviour at Helen’s Bay beach during summer.
“Unfortunately, summer brings a significant increase in litter, which is not only an eyesore but also a threat to local wildlife and the marine environment.
“Enjoying our beaches should go hand in hand with respecting them. I’d urge visitors to take your rubbish home or use the bins provided so Helen’s Bay remains a clean and safe place for everyone.”
Green Party councillor Lauren Kendall gave credit to the local beach cleaners and volunteers for their time, adding that leaving rubbish behind was ‘frustrating and disrespectful’.
She said: “Our coastal areas should be treasured public spaces, however the actions of a few who leave piles of litter, which we have seen, could have serious safety implications and spoil these areas for everyone. It’s frustrating and disrespectful.
“I am so grateful for regular and ongoing efforts of our local dedicated beach cleaners and other community resident volunteers who give up their time to collect the litter all year round, and who make our beaches beautiful and safe for all to enjoy.
“However, everyone has a part to play. A small act, whether it’s taking rubbish home or walking a bit further to use a bin that isn’t yet full, can protect our coastline and ensure Seapark, Helen’s Bay and Crawfordsburn, remain clean, welcoming places for residents and visitors.”
The beach is maintained by the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DEARA), which said that the latest littering issues were ‘disappointing’ and ‘unacceptable’.
A spokesman said the warm weather over the past few days has seen large numbers of visitors to Crawfordsburn Country Park, including both Crawfordsburn and Helen’s Bay beaches.
“There are numerous bins for use at these locations and although many visitors act responsibly and dispose of rubbish appropriately, once again we still experienced high levels of rubbish being dumped,” he said. “These latest incidents are not just disappointing, they are unacceptable.”
The spokesman continued: “Site staff cannot be present 24 hours a day. However, site management presence is increased during the busiest periods of the year, including over the recent Bank Holiday weekend.
“Staff actively engaged with visitors to raise awareness of park regulations and encourage responsible behaviour. In addition, staff monitored the area and removed litter wherever possible.
“Significant efforts were made to ensure that rubbish was cleared before the park reopened to the public each morning. Unfortunately, the sheer volume of waste generated and discarded by large crowds means that litter can accumulate more quickly than staff can reasonably remove it.”
The spokesman concluded: “Maintaining beaches such as Helen’s Bay is not solely the responsibility of public authorities. Everyone who visits has a role to play in protecting and preserving these valued natural spaces. Regrettably, the amount of litter discarded on busy days reflects a lack of consideration for this cherished beauty spot.”
