Kelly slams lack of bins on new road in Dundalk

Cathaoirleach of Dundalk Municipal District, Cllr Seán Kelly, has said that the decision not to install any new bins on the new road at Mount Avenue in Dundalk 'makes no sense'.

Cllr Kelly, raised the matter at the Dundalk Municipal District January meeting, commending the work being done on the new road, adding that it has become a very popular walking route, but with no bins at all on the road. “If you're out walking dogs or just out for a walk a bin would be handy”, Cllr Kelly told the meeting, requesting that it be looked into.

Responding, Senior Engineer Paddy Connolly said that no further bins were being installed. Cllr Kelly followed up on Mr Connolly's reply to say that the decision not to install any further bins “makes no sense". “You don't build a new road and say, 'you know what, we're not going to put any new bins out', further commenting, “what's going to be next? We'll not put any stop signs out?”

Cllr Kelly continued, commenting that they were all complaining about illegal dumping in the area, and that it makes no sense to say that illegal dumping is a massive problem but then refusing to put two bins on the road.

Speaking to the Dundalk Democrat following the meeting, Cllr Kelly said that “the Council spent long enough waiting to build this road and it's a €7 million investment. It's a fantastic road and it is getting used a lot by people. It's great to see the success of it as well, a new walking route for Dundalk people as well, especially on this side of town.

“But to turn around and say, after spending €7 million, 'we're actually not going to put one bin in place', and people out walking dogs, and we're trying to encourage people to lift their waste after their dogs, and nowhere for them to dispose of it, it just makes no sense at all.”

He added, “and for any member of the public looking in at the Council and how it makes its decision, how do you build a €7 million road and actually turn around and say, 'we're not going to put any bins on it', it's just farcical.”