A community group in Belfast has urged local residents that dumping rubbish in alleyways “cannot be tolerated.”
The Beechmount Residents Collective in West Belfast said dumping rubbish in alleys in the area has been an ongoing issue for a few years. On Thursday, January 2, they received reports from residents in Beechmount Grove relating to piles of debris littering their alleyway.
The group have been working alongside local groups, Three Sisters Gardening Community and Clowney Alley, to educate the community on keeping the area tidy.
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The incident has been reported to Belfast City Council in order to have rubbish removed from the area.
A spokesperson for Beechmount Residents Collective said: “Today [Jan 2] Beechmount Residents Collective was engaging with residents in Beechmount Grove over dumping in their alleyway over the years we have been fighting over this same issue in the same place and had become a real issue for us all cannot be tolerated any longer in this area.
“We have arrangements with Belfast City Council and the residents who made contact to make sure the gate is open to have this area cleaned and rubbish lifted in hope it stays that way.
“The BRC are working closely with The Three Sisters Gardening Community-West Belfast, Clowney Alley, and others to educate our community and have a better way to live and keep our community tidy.
“We call on these residents who maybe dumping to take responsibility and think of your neighbors and community workers who give up their free time.”
Clowney Alley consists of a group of residents committed to regenerating the area’s alleyways, with hopes of turning the spaces into gardens and spaces for the community to socialise.
In a post on social media, a spokesperson for Clowney Alley said: “Local residents in Beechmount have expressed their deep upset and frustration about dumping in their alleyway. As I’m sure you will all agree – this is a shocking sight, unsanitary, unsafe and unnecessary.
“This cannot be tolerated any longer in West Belfast. As a people, we are kind, respectable, and considerate, and this is not what we will tolerate going forward. If you are in a position to go out and help clean please do – if you are fortunate to have a car- please offer a hand to the dump
“As a community we all have a shared responsibility to ensure that the alleyways at our homes are clean, tidy and dump free – creating a space that we can be proud of, a place to sit, grow flowers, and chat with our neighbours!”
Belfast City Council have confirmed this dumping has been reported to their area team for removal. A spokesperson for the Council added: “Fly-tipping is a serious offence and can result in a fine of £2,500.
“Belfast City Council urges all residents to dispose of waste responsibly at this time of year. Further info on how to manage waste and recycling is available on our website – belfastcity.gov.uk/recycling”
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