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IT’S been a difficult year since Mary Stewart took on the role of Environment Warden for the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay area.
With such a large area to cover, progress is necessarily slow but some results are beginning to shine through after a lot of hard work.
One of the first things Mary did after taking on the role was too visit every single school in the area and educate children about the effects of littering, responsible dog ownership and the costs of cleaning up the mess. ‘We get amazing feedback from the kids’, said Mary. ‘I take my two black Labradors, Corrie and Gypsy, and the children love them.’
To keep up the pressure on school children, regular litter patrols are taking place at lunchtime in Lochgilphead, Campbeltown and Bowmore.
People caught dropping litter can be fined up to £50 with £40 for not picking up after your dog. The dog fouling fine will go up to £60 if not paid in 28 days as recently happened to the man caught on the front green in Lochgilphead.
Seven penalty notices have been issued for dog fouling in Campbeltown, Lochgilphead, Tarbert and Islay.
‘Dog fouling is one of the main problems,’ Mary admitted. ‘In the summer we had an improvement but in winter dog owners get lazy – it’s dark and no-one sees them. Littering has been getting better.’
The dark nights have also restricted early and late patrols by the warden but these are re-starting this week, with particular emphasis on identified ‘hot spots’.
Hot spots are also a feature of her work on fly-tipping. This and abandoned cars also come under Mary’s remit and add to the workload. She currently has four abandoned cars in her files and there have been various incidents of fly-tipping, West Loch Tarbert being a particular problem area. There are plans to put CCTV cameras in such areas to help catch the perpetrators.
Mary is also keen to hear from anyone with any complaints about dog fouling, littering etc: ‘Any phone call will be treated confidentially. The names and/or addresses of those committing the offences are always helpful, though.’
We’ll be having stalls with free dog bags at events through the summer and I’m very friendly, so don’t hesitate to visit us.’
Classes in responsible dog ownership have also started in Carradale and Campbeltown with great success. Anyone in Mid Argyll interested in such a class should contact Mary on 01546 604666 and she will pass the details to the relevant party. This number should also be used to notify her of a relevant environmental concern.
