VERMIN have been spotted at a laneway close to a number of fast-food outlets in the city centre less than a month after a major clean-up of food waste in the area was undertaken.
The issue of illegal dumping has plagued a laneway off William Street in Derry for almost a year, and resulted in a joint operation conducted by officers from within the Enforcement, Environmental Health and Waste sections of Derry City and Strabane District Council, supported by colleagues from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) a month ago.
The operation was aimed at visiting businesses Derry’s Upper Strand Rd, Waterloo Place and William Street and ensuring that businesses have complied fully with all applicable regulations including those concerning the storage and collection of waste, including food waste.
A clean-up was then undertaken of the area.
At the time, a council spokesperson warned that it would take further action against those who fail to address their responsibilities.
However, less than a month later, the dumping has continued unabated, resulting a significant build-up in food waste at the laneway, pictured above.
The Derry News contacted the council to ask what measures it would take to identify those responsible for the dumping and what action would be taken against them, given that it had occurred so soon after the last visit.
A spokesperson for the council issued the following reply: “Council is aware of the matter and are working with its partners to address the issues raised.”
The Derry News also contacted the NIEA, asking what measures it was taken to identify who is behind the ongoing dumping at a laneway off the William Street area.
“NIEA has been and will continue to work alongside and in support of Derry City & Strabane Council to address the issues of waste accumulation in the Williams Street area,” a spokesperson said.
“This will include education and preventative action as well as enforcement, where evidence is available.”
The Derry News also asked the NIEA who would be responsible for cleaning-up the waste.
The spokesperson replied: “Where possible the NIEA will seek to place the burden of clean-up (and the associated costs) on those responsible for the illegal waste disposal.
“The responsibility for clean-up may also fall upon the landowner. However, if the offender and/or the landowner cannot be identified the NIEA or the local council may consider removal of the wastes.”
Speaking to the Derry News, the independent councillor for the area Sean Carr said that both the NIEA and the council needed to introduce ‘tougher measures’ against those behind the dumping.
“That alley way was cleaned up a month ago, and despite all the warnings, it’s an absolute disgrace again,” he said.
“I would like to know what action was taken by both the NIEA and the council since then, because it’s obviously not working.
“There’s rats running around the place and we don’t need to say how much a health risk that is.”
He added: “It’s time for tougher penalties because it’s just going to keep happening.”
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