RATS, CATS AND RUBBISH

Homeowners in the vicinity of Castle Street car park are having to look at an eyesore every day with all manner of rubbish strewn across hedges and yards.

But more worrying than the visual impact the litter is causing, residents say discarded waste food packaging is now attracting unwelcome visitors to the area - rats and mice.

So annoyed by the state of the area one local man has taken it upon himself to tackle the problem head-on.

Robert Reilly - who has lived adjacent to the car park for 12 years - goes out each morning at 6.30am to gather up rubbish from the rear of his home.

Among the items diligent Robert gathers up are discarded food, wrappers, papers and drinks cartons.

He says that while members of the public are to blame for dumping litter, the council can alleviate the problem by installing more bins.

Robert told the Times: "There is rubbish constantly which blows in from the car park around waste ground and Shiels Court.

"There is so much of it that cats, crows and rodents can be seen feeding on it.

"Surely this is a health hazard as well.

"The place looks like a dump.

"There is an ongoing struggle from 2006 to get new bins around Castlecroft and the car park.

"There are only two old bins which must be out of date since the 1950's.

"Yet at the Joey Dunlop Centre I can count 16 new bins with only 1% of the rubbish which would accumulate in the car park.

"We need to get this sorted."

Ulster Unionist councillor James Simpson said he would be raising concerns regarding the litter problem in the Castle Street area with council.

A spokesperson for the council said she would be visiting the area to check the provision of bins adding the public had a key role to play in protecting the environment by not dumping litter.

Council tidy the area on a weekly basis, she added.

She said those caught dropping litter would be subject to a fixed penalty of 50. If this is not paid then the culprit could face the courts.

The spokesperson said the council had received no reports of rodents in the area but said if anyone had any such concerns they should contact the council immediately.