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Pictured at the launch of the new campaign ‘Give Your Litter A Lift’ were Patrick Connor-Scarteen Mayor of Kerry and Ger O’Brien of the Kerry County Council. Photo By : Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD
KERRY County Council is encouraging anyone visiting the county’s beaches this summer to ‘Give Your Litter A Lift’ and to ensure that coastal areas remain free of litter over the coming months.
The local authority will be increasing the number of litter bins available at beaches across the county but is also appealing to all beach users to act responsibility by taking litter home.
New signage promoting the anti-litter message has been erected at all Blue Flag beaches this week.
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Kerry was recently awarded a total of 14 prestigious Blue Flags in recognition of the quality of beaches in the county and the local authority is appealing to play their part in retaining those honours.
The Mayor of Kerry, Cllr Patrick Connor-Scarteen said everyone has a role to play: “We hope that this summer everyone can enjoy our beach environments in a safe way and that visitors to these beautiful amenities will leave nothing behind but their footprints.”
“Kerry County Council is playing its part by providing extra bins to dispose of litter and there will also be extended opening hours at public conveniences at our beaches. So, the message is simple, when you are heading home: give your litter a lift,” he said.
Director of Environment with Kerry County Council, John Breen said that the local authority recognises the need to ensure that everyone can enjoy the beach environment in Kerry as the country focuses on outdoor activities over the coming months.
“We have so much to offer our visitors and those who live in the county. So, we are appealing to everyone to take litter home, to take away dog foul and dispose of it properly, and to avoid anything that would damage our beaches. We have already stepped out our monitoring of beaches and a significant number of fines have issued to, for example, so-called boy racers, but our first approach always remains encouragement of good behaviour in the first place, so that everyone can enjoy a safe beach experience,” said Mr Breen.
Meanwhile, 41 lifeguards, who are all fully trained and certified by Water Safety Ireland, took up their duties at Blue Flag beaches at the weekend. They are rostered for all beaches between noon and 7pm on weekends and 11am and 7pm from Monday to Friday and will be on duty until the end of the bathing season (on the second weekend of September).
