Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

Recent storms that hit Wales left the coastline in devastation and with summer just around the corner; Keep Wales Tidy (KWT) is searching for volunteers in Carmarthenshire and surrounding areas to help get our local beaches back to looking beautiful! The second annual Clean Coasts Week, sponsored by McDonald’s Restaurants Ltd, takes place from the 10th – 18th May 2014. Keep Wales Tidy along with McDonald’s restaurant staff, community groups, schools and businesses will take part in clean-up events across the country, after high winds and severe flooding battered our coasts and left some beaches unrecognisable. Cefn Sidan lost a large amount of sand dune, and all along the Carmarthenshire coast, damage was caused causing transportation issues and problems for wildlife. A huge amount of marine litter was also washed onto the beaches with the large swells. Daniel Snaith, KWT Carmarthenshire Project Officer said: “After last year’s successful Clean Coasts Week in Carmarthenshire, we are ...

The first litter fine for chewing gum has been issued in Carmarthenshire. Council environmental enforcement officers have issued a fixed penalty notice for £75 to a woman at McDonald’s in Cross Hands. Officers were on duty in the area and saw the woman take the chewing gum from her mouth and throw it onto the ground. They continued to observe her to give her a chance to pick it up; however, she then lit up a cigarette and after finishing it, threw that onto the ground as well. Failure to pay the fine could lead to prosecution in the magistrates court and a maximum fine of up to £2,500. Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “This is the first fine that we have issued specifically for chewing gum litter. Our enforcement officers have to carry out patrols across the county and it can be very difficult to catch people in the act. “Obviously we don’t want to fine people; we would prefer they don’t drop litter in the first place, but if they fail...

A new drive has being launched in Carmarthenshire to tackle fast food litter. The council, in partnership with McDonald’s, has launched a  campaign to clean up the county. Figures show that fast food litter such as chip wrappers, crisp packets, drinks cartons and half eaten food can be found on 20% of county streets. The council is encouraging people to dispose of their rubbish more responsibly and has teamed up with McDonald’s to raise awareness of the problem. Officers visited McDonald’s restaurants in Carmarthen and Cross Hands to put up posters and talk to customers. On average 40 tonnes of litter is removed every week in Carmarthenshire and it costs the council over £2.2 million per year. Not only does litter take years to break down, but it spoils the appearance of an area and attracts rats. People are also being reminded that anyone caught throwing litter can get an on-the-spot fine of £75; or if taken to court, a fine up to £2,500. Since council environmental enforceme...

A man has been fined £75 after being caught throwing litter from a car window at the McDonald’s car park in Carmarthen. The council’s environmental enforcement officers were on duty in the area and issued the 36-year-old man from Llanarth with a fixed penalty notice. Failure to pay could lead to prosecution in the magistrates court where the maximum fine that can be imposed is £2,500. The council hopes this latest fine will act as a warning to would-be litterbugs that this type of anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated. It follows a county-wide ‘Bin It’ campaign, supported by McDonald’s, to encourage people to dispose of their litter more responsibly. Executive Board Member for the Environment Cllr Philip Hughes said: “Dropping litter is against the law, whether it is discarding rubbish from a vehicle, throwing cigarette ends or spitting out chewing gum. If there are no bins nearby, then take your rubbish home with you to dispose of. “We work closely with McDonald’s and other fast...

A Gwendraeth Valley man has been fined after throwing litter from a car window at McDonald’s in Carmarthen. Daniel Rhodri Evans was convicted in absence for an offence contrary to Section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 at Ammanford Magistrates Court. The prosecution was brought by Carmarthenshire County Council. The court heard that the 20-year-old, of Heol Y Ysgol, Cefneithin, was issued with a fixed penalty notice of £75 by the council’s environmental enforcement officers. However, he failed to pay it and was prosecuted in court as a result. Evans was fined £100 by magistrates and ordered to pay £160 towards prosecution costs. The council hopes this fine will act as a warning to would-be litterbugs that this type of anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated. It follows a county-wide ‘Bin It’ campaign, supported by McDonald’s, to encourage people to dispose of their litter more responsibly. Executive board member for the environment Councillor Philip Hughes said: “Dropp...