Coghill calls for hard line on litter
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A LOCAL councillor has called for a “really hard line” to be taken against people who drop litter and don’t clean up after their dogs.
Landward Caithness representative Robert Coghill wants tougher action taken against offenders and stressed it costs around £3 million to pick up litter which has been dropped by the public.
“It is totally unacceptable that this is happening in our villages, in our towns and on our roads, and something needs to be done to tackle it. It is scandalous this is happening in this day and age,” Mr Coghill told the John O’Groat Journal.
“Quite substantial fines can be imposed for these offences and I think the rules need to be enforced.
“You regularly see plastic bottles, empty beer cans and crisp bags and other discarded items lying at the side of roads and on the streets. The message that needs to go out is that it is not cool to drop litter and we need to start with young people – although all age groups are responsible for the problem.
“Youngsters seem to be good regards litter when they are at primary school but something happens when they go to high school. Why should we become the pigs of Europe?”
Mr Coghill also advocated strong measures to be taken against people who do not clean up after their dogs.
He said if youngsters come into contact with the animal mess it can cause eye and other problems.
“A really hard line needs to be taken regarding litter and dog fouling. They are both totally unacceptable.
“They need to be regarded in the same way as drink-driving and not wearing a seat belt in a vehicle. The legislation is there but it needs to be enforced.”
Mr Coghill spoke out after attending a meeting of the transport, environmental and community services strategy meeting in Inverness on Tuesday.
The problem of litter and dog fouling is regularly brought up at local community council meetings.
