Weeds '˜three feet' high along lane ways

Independent Councillor Gary Donnelly said there were health and safety concerns associated with the problem.

Colr. Donnelly was speaking at the monthly Full Council meeting in the Guildhall, and had initially raised concerns about the Council carrying out maintenance works at the Cenotaph War Memorial in the Diamond, despite not having ownership of the landmark.

“I am concerned this is costing ratepayers money,” he said, adding that there were back lanes and alleyways in Westland Street and across the district that could do with some attention.

“There are overgrown weeds three feet high,” he said, and proposed that the Council become involved in tackling the issue.

Colr. Donnelly said that some elderly people even had difficulties accessing their bins because of the problem, and said that in the event of a fire, the state of these areas could prove problematic for people.

Council Chief Executive John Kelpie said he would discuss the matter with the Director of Environment and Regeneration and would bring a paper to a future meeting.

He said that this would detail a lot of “proactive work” undertaken by the council in areas where there had been a build up of litter.

Sinn Fein Councillor Tony Hassan asked for green areas of Derry which are currently not being cared for to be looked at as part of this.

He said that these were areas which were not within the current maintenance remit of Roads Service, the Council or other agencies.

Sinn Fein Councillor Patricia Logue said that many local organisations were already actively tackling overgrown areas, including Teamworks and the Bogside Brandywell Initiative, adding that if Colr. Donnelly wanted to touch base with them they may be able to assist residents.

SDLP Councillor Tina Gardiner said that in the Waterside, some residents have taken it upon themselves to do up the area, while agreeing that there were certain areas which were falling between two stools.