A rail firm stepped in and saved the day to help clean up one of Kilmarnock’s most popular beauty spots.
A team of rope access operatives from the QTS Group climbed into action to remove fly-tipped debris from the Dean Castle Country Park.
Ayrshire Live revealed in November that volunteers collected a whopping 150 bags of litter from the park – but large objects such as fridges and mattresses still needed dealt with after being dropped down into the river.
East Ayrshire Leisure’s Laura McMeekin said at the time removing this junk would cost more than double their annual refuse collection budget.
The area, located just off Kennedy Drive, had become a common place for fly-tipping but steep verges made it difficult for East Ayrshire Council and East Ayrshire Leisure staff to access and clear.
Instead, generous local business the QTS Group came forward to offer its specialist rope access team to clear away the rubbish.
Across the day, eight trailers and a van load of rubbish were removed from the site, with items including a fridge, wheelie bins, food waste bins and several ton bags of debris.
Andy Steel, operations director for QTS Group, said: “QTS is committed to ensuring that we leave a positive environmental impact in our local communities, so were pleased to offer the services of our expert rope operatives to get into these hard-to-reach areas.
“It was a little different to our usual day-to-day work on track side embankments or rail infrastructure structures, but it was a great way for us to get involved with such a good cause locally.
“Hopefully now it has been cleared, it will stop the temptation for people to dump their rubbish here and instead utilise public tipping facilities which are available.”
Nick Kelly, East Ayrshire Council’s greener communities with outdoor services service manager, added: “We were delighted to be able to work with the QTS Group to clear this area of fly tipping and work in this area of the country park will continue to deter fly-tippers.
“A ditch and bund has been planted up with 3000 hedgerow plants by Ayrshire College students, staff from the Rowallan Call Centre, the Friends of the Dean and East Ayrshire Woodlands’ modern apprentices.
“New gates will be installed and an orchard will be planted in the coming weeks.”
Fly-tipping is an offence that can see offenders reported to the procurator fiscal with fines of up to £40,000 being imposed.
You can report fly-tipping to the council online.
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