Ulster Rugby has been called on to do more to tackle litter on match days.
SDLP Lisnasharragh Councillor Séamas de Faoite has said that the club should establish an agreement with Belfast City Council in order to fund litter enforcement and cleansing staff in the Ravenhill and Cregagh areas during games.
He said that on match days litter and street drinking become a problem for the nearby residents of the Kingspan Stadium.
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The council has proved enforcement and cleansing services on match days before, but the councillor believes that the rugby club should be committing itself to the issue as well.
Speaking after a meeting of the East Belfast area working group where he proposed the idea to the club, Cllr. de Faoite said: “Littering and on-street drinking continue to cause problems for local residents in Ravenhill and the Cregagh following matches.
“In the last rugby season, a number of enforcement and cleansing officers from Belfast City Council were made available on match nights and residents reported a marked improvement in the amount of litter and rubbish left behind.
“Ulster Rugby plays an important local role in promoting sport and drawing visitors and tourists to our area. Ravenhill is one of our greatest local assets, however, I want to ensure that the club and their supporters live up to their stated desire to be good neighbours to residents in Ravenhill and the Cregagh.”
An Ulster Rugby spokesperson said: “ Ulster Rugby is committed to ensuring that spectators are respectful of local residents and their homes when travelling to and from our fixtures.
“We continue to take proactive steps to minimise any disruption on a match night, including regular engagement with our Community Committee, which is made up of representatives from Cregagh Community Association and the Onslow & Ravenhill Residents Association, as well as Ulster Rugby, PSNI, Belfast City Council and MLA representation from South Belfast and East Belfast.
“Measures already in place by the club include Events Stewards at all exits at every game to encourage spectators to dispose of any rubbish in the bins provided before leaving the ground. Ulster Rugby also prevents any attendees from leaving the stadium with alcohol. A litter-pick from the streets around the stadium is also organised by the club the morning after every game.”
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