Ballymena councillor addresses clothes bin mess at Braidwater Retail Park

The unsightly mess at the charity clothes bins at Braidwater Retail Park

A persistent issue with overflowing clothes recycling bins at Braidwater Retail Park has been tackled following action from local residents and Ballymena Councillor Rodney Quigley.

The bins, located near James Street and Moat Road, had become a dumping ground not only for unwanted clothes but also for various household items, prompting frustration from the community.

Cllr Quigley was first alerted to the problem last weekend when several residents reached out to him.

“Last weekend I was contacted by several residents of the James Street/Moat Road area concerning the unsightly mess of the clothes recycling bins at the Braidwater Retail Park where not just clothes were dumped but other household items,” he said.

Determined to address the issue, he wasted no time in taking it up with local authorities. On Monday (March 24), Cllr Quigley met council officers at the retail park to inspect the situation firsthand.

“I met council officers on site to let them see the mess for themselves,” he explained. The officers swiftly identified the organisation responsible for the bins and contacted them, demanding immediate action to clear the area.

By the end of the week, the site had been tidied up, much to the relief of residents.

“The area was cleared at the end of the week and looks a lot more respectable,” Cllr Quigley noted, adding, “Thanks to council officers for all the hard work in helping resolve this issue.”

Councillor Rodney Quigley at the clothes bins following the clean up.

However, the councillor believes the problem runs deeper than a one-off clean-up. Reflecting on the broader trend, he observed, “Over the past year or so it has became clear that there isn’t the same need for recycled clothes and this has lead to the problems in this area.”

With the bins no longer serving their intended purpose effectively, they have instead become a magnet for illegal dumping and neglect due to infrequent emptying.

Following discussions with local residents, Cllr Quigley has now formally requested the removal of the bins from the retail park. “After a discussion with local residents, I have requested on their behalf that the recycled bins be removed from the retail park simply because they aren’t being emptied on a regular basis and are causing an unsightly mess with illegal dumping,” he said.

The move, he hopes, will prevent further issues and restore the area’s appearance for good. Councillor Quigley’s proactive approach has been welcomed by the community.