Litter concern at local business park
Litter is becoming a growing concern for the businesses and users of Mastertech Business Park. The derelict buildings located in the Park, coupled with the increase in students undertaking courses at the Employment, Development and Information (EDI) Centre, are seen as the two key reasons for this concern.
Andy O'Dowd, Chairperson of Longford Tidy Towns visited the area and talked to the Longford Leader about his findings.
"I went down and looked around and there is litter in and around the EDI Centre. It's more on the inside of the units and not just at the EDI Centre," says Andy. He contacted the County Council immediately and spoke to the Environmental Department where he reported the litter.
"It's up to the County Council to ensure that they clean up that area. Of course, we'll assist in any way that we can," says Mr O'Dowd.
According to Mary Smith, CEO of the EDI Centre, the derelict buildings are a key reason for the litter in that area.
"We can't leave the bins out at night because they were being filled," says Mary. "The buildings around us are derelict and therefore the area is empty at night. Also, there is joy-riding. Sometimes our night students are too afraid to go outside because of the joy-riders."
Regarding the increased number of students, Mary Smith explains that the EDI Centre repeatedly reminds students to pick up their litter.
"We have put up ashtrays outside, but we had to take the main bins in. So yes, there are cigarette packets littered outside at times. We will keep reinforcing this," says Ms Smith. "We also have a caretaker who cleans up just outside our building."
She feels that if there is anything they can do to assist keeping the area clean, then they will.
"In the past we have told the council about litter being around the area and they have come to pick it up, but I don't want to get billed for that as the litter is not EDI litter," explains Mary. "I don't know what more we can do. We rent the space here and therefore we're not responsible for the outside of the building."
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Weather for Longford, Ireland
Tuesday 22 May 2012
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