Video footage of huge trail of rubbish dumped outside council site in Lurgan as bin strike continues in ABC Council area

A snaking trail of rubbish outside Lurgan Amenity Site has heightened concerns about the environmental impact the ABC Council strike is having.
By Graeme Cousins
Published 15th Sep 2022, 14:34 BST
Updated 15th Sep 2022, 14:53 BST
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The News Letter visited the site today and witnessed a collection of debris which took nearly three minutes to capture on video from head to tail.

While most of the rubbish was contained in bags, some litter was strewn about the road, and large items included mattresses and doors.

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It has been five weeks since bins were emptied and many have expressed concern that the build up of bags, at the amenity site, at virtually every public bin across the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon area, and at ratepayers homes,is attracting flies, rodents and other scavengers.

Rubbish dumped outside the New Line Amenity Site, Lurgn during the Armagh Banbridge Craigavon Council workers strike which is affecting bin collections in the borough. Picture Date 15-09-22Rubbish dumped outside the New Line Amenity Site, Lurgn during the Armagh Banbridge Craigavon Council workers strike which is affecting bin collections in the borough. Picture Date 15-09-22
Rubbish dumped outside the New Line Amenity Site, Lurgn during the Armagh Banbridge Craigavon Council workers strike which is affecting bin collections in the borough. Picture Date 15-09-22

Council workers in the area are set to resume their strike in full on Tuesday following the Queen’s funeral, having called off pickets during the period of mourning.

During that time the only rubbish lifted was in public spaces necessary for events relating to the Royal family.

Some ratepayers have been willing to pay to have bins emptied.

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A Tandragee resident said: “They emptied two of my bins – the food bin and the black bin – for £10 each. They were warmly welcomed in my private estate where there is around 150 houses.”

Rubbish dumped outside the New Line Amenity Site, Lurgn during the Armagh Banbridge Craigavon Council workers strike which is affecting bin collections in the borough. Picture Date 15-09-22Rubbish dumped outside the New Line Amenity Site, Lurgn during the Armagh Banbridge Craigavon Council workers strike which is affecting bin collections in the borough. Picture Date 15-09-22
Rubbish dumped outside the New Line Amenity Site, Lurgn during the Armagh Banbridge Craigavon Council workers strike which is affecting bin collections in the borough. Picture Date 15-09-22

He said it was “great to see” and hoped it would embarrass the council and anger the unions.

The topics of bin collections has come up regularly when ABC Council has posted on social media about other matters.

When the council announced that books of condolence would be opened for the Queen, one resident wrote: “It is great that you’ve let us all know that we can all go and sign books of condolence which we will do. RIP Queen Elizabeth.

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But is there any chance we can get some bins emptied, please? The flies and maggots are getting a bit unbearable. Have kids who can’t play in the garden due to flies around the bins.”

Rubbish dumped outside the New Line Amenity Site, Lurgn during the Armagh Banbridge Craigavon Council workers strike which is affecting bin collections in the borough. Picture Date 15-09-22Rubbish dumped outside the New Line Amenity Site, Lurgn during the Armagh Banbridge Craigavon Council workers strike which is affecting bin collections in the borough. Picture Date 15-09-22
Rubbish dumped outside the New Line Amenity Site, Lurgn during the Armagh Banbridge Craigavon Council workers strike which is affecting bin collections in the borough. Picture Date 15-09-22

When the council announced that a special council meeting would take place to pay tribute to Her Majesty, one local lady took the opportunity to shift the focus.

She wrote: “Bins need emptied asap. Let’s forget about the meetings for free tea and sandwiches, please.

“People paying rates for this is a complete joke.”

The News Letter contacted ABC Council for a response to the environmental impact of the bin strike.

A spokesperson for Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council said: “The Council will not be commenting at this time.”

Related topics:QueenBanbridgeCraigavon