Council considers cameras to tackle illegal dumping

SPY cameras are being proposed in a bid to stamp out illegal dumping in Waterford.

Fianna Fáil councillor, Tom Murphy, said the problem had spiralled out of control. “There’s an awful lot of illegal dumping going on, in the Tramore area in particular. It’s a health hazard. These people who are dumping have no concern for their neighbours or for anyone else.

“A lot of people have been dumping on the Green Road in particular. I’ve met with the city manager and feel there is a need to put some type of watchdog cameras in the area to catch these people.

“I’m hopeful and confident that these cameras will be installed. It’s the only way we are going to catch these people, take them to court and fine them.”

Mr Murphy appealed to members of the public who are getting people to take away their rubbish to ensure it is ending up in proper landfill facilities.

“If your refuse is dumped on the side of the road and something is found in that refuse with your name in it, it is you who will be fined,” he said.

Tramore Town Council member, James McCartan, called on the authority to pay particular attention to dumping black spots on the Tramore Road.

“It reflects very badly on Waterford. The first thing tourists see on the Tramore Road is all of these black bags and rotten rubbish in a stream.

“I want the city council to clean up the area. And if they don’t, I have no problem in writing to the Environmental Protection Agency and reporting the matter to them. It must be contaminating the stream at this point in time.”

The Irish Businesses Against Litter report recently commended Waterford on its efforts to bring the region up to European standards of cleanliness. In the latest survey, Waterford was described as the cleanest county in the country.

Waterford City Council confirmed it is considering introducing cameras. “We are examining the possibility of these cameras.

“They are one of a number of measures we are looking at,” said a council spokesperson.