Local councillor criticises 'disgraceful' dumping on Big Meadow walkway
By Rebekah O'Reilly
Cllr Paul Hogan has hit out at recent dumping in the Big Meadow area of Athlone, labelling it as "disgraceful".
Westmeath County Council was alerted about the dumping after local CE workers and the Athlone Canal Heritage group cleaned and bagged significant rubbish from both the path and the canal.
The dumping incident was discovered on Wednesday morning, January 15, with the bagged rubbish being collected by Westmeath County Council on Tuesday, January 21.
"The dumping included both household waste and kitchen appliances, and it really is disgraceful and mindless," he said. "The walkway in the Big Meadow area is one of those beautiful, scenic areas in Athlone that is under environmental protection, and for it to be littered like that is just mindboggling, and just honestly disgusting.
"The disposal of household appliances is actually free, and I would just appeal to whoever took part in the dumping to consider that."
The Athlone councillor noted that the council has invested greatly in the aesthetics of the town across the past two years, and that Athlone has been awarded the Tidy Towns Gold Award thanks to the work of Tidy Towns volunteers, and groups such as Athlone Canal Heritage.
Speaking about the government's investment in technology which it is hoped will eradicate the issue of dumping, Cllr Hogan said: "Last year, €180,000 was spent on tackling indiscriminate dumping. Recent legislation has been passed as well that will allow the government to install covert CCTV in areas where dumping happens most often.
"I have asked for CCTV to be installed on the Big Meadow walkway, and the hope is that this would discourage dumping. The government has also invested greatly in CCTV, as well as drones, which are particularly useful in more rural areas."
He added: "Alongside groups like Athlone Canal Heritage, and Tidy Towns, Westmeath County Council and the Athlone Municipal District are trying to improve the cleanliness of the town, to make it a pleasant and beautiful place for tourists to visit, for locals to enjoy the walkways, and for locals to live in.
"Whether it be through education, or through using CCTV to catch the culprits of dumping, we aim to stamp out the issue."
Cllr Hogan highlighted initiatives put in place to encourage the positive and correct disposal of rubbish, including dates for free mattress disposal, green initiatives, and recycling events.