Write a commentConnaire McGreevy the SDLP Group Leader on Newry and Mourne District Council has spoken with shock at discovering that NMDC had to in excess of £40,000 in the last month disposing of abandoned toxic waste.
On Wednesday past local Councillors were sent information by council officers on Wednesday which showed that there had been five incidents reported that day alone near Mullaghbane, Forkhill and Dromintee.
Cllr McGreevy said: “This is highly dangerous material, often fuel waste, being abandoned in Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) and barrels on our roadsides and in at least one case known to me, by a community centre.
“This could bring anyone into contact with very harmful substances and it is a risk to public health and safety as well as the wider environment.
“On top of that, the disposal of this material is a delicate and expensive process and it is costing taxpayers a fortune – it has to stop.
“I urge people as a matter of priority to report any activity on this front to the PSNI.”
Over the past month the council has dealt with the following:
(12.04.12) Removal and disposal of articulated lorry trailer with 44 IBC containers of laundered fuel waste abandoned on the hard shoulder on Old Dublin Road, Newry (Cost to Council £11932.00 + VAT)
(16.04.12) Removal and disposal of articulated lorry trailer with 1 bag of fullers Earth, four 205 litre barrels and 20 IBC containers of laundered fuel waste abandoned on the Ballymoyer Road, Newtownhamilton (Cost to Council £7829.00 + VAT)
(19.04.12) Deposit of two IBC containers of laundered fuel waste at lay-by on Old Dublin Road, Newry. (Cost to Council for removal: £474.00 + VAT).
(24.04.12) Removal and disposal of articulated lorry trailer with 27 IBC containers of laundered fuel waste, abandoned on roadside at Blaney Road, Altnamackin, Newtownhamilton and also removal of 2 IBC’s of waste from Cully Road, Silverbridge (Cost to Council £8700.00 + VAT)
(27.04.12) Removal and disposal of articulated lorry trailer with 16 IBC containers a skip and approximately eight 205 litre barrels, Abandoned at the roadside at Blaney Road, Altnamackin, Newtownhamilton (Approximate Cost to Council £6000.00 + VAT)
Total cost of £34,935 plus the VAT.
