Lorry drivers using the Irish Sea crossing at Cairnryan port being are urged not to leave bottles of urine in Larne. Local councillors hope an information campaign with signs and leaflets will alleviate the issue.
According to the Larne Times, Larne Borough Council’s Director of Environmental Services, Philip Thompson, said at a committee meeting earlier this week that the problem will be highlighted to drivers through cards distributed with boarding passes in Cairnryan.
Mr Thompson reportedly told a previous committee meeting that truckers disembarking from Larne Harbour throw bottles of urine along the Harbour Highway.
Larne Eco Ranger Abe Agnew was quoted as saying during one litter pick, he lifted more than 100 bottles filled with urine at the harbour foreshore, including a five-litre bottle.
Commenting on the issue, Larne Lough Alliance Councillor Danny Donnelly said:
This is a big issue around Larne and has been for a long time. I am very glad to have this co-operation and co-ordination. It is a great idea to have signs around Larne Harbour and Cairnryan.
Coast Road DUP Councillor Angela Smyth also backed the scheme:
I find it shocking that we have to put signs up for grown men for them not to fire bottles of urine out their windows. Lorry drivers have been doing this for years. I hope it does change it.
Moreover, Smyth would like to see fines introduced:
I think it is going to take something more forceful to stop this. There is technology available for cameras to pick up anything thrown from vehicles which can be looked at.
Photo credit (illustrative image): Todd McCann / Flickr