THE ‘BIG TT Tidy Up’ campaign around the island over the last week has resulted in almost two tonnes of rubbish being removed from numerous roads, footpaths and parks close to the TT course.
Eight consecutive days of cleaning sessions organised by volunteer group Beach Buddies has been voted a major success by the organisation which now plans to stage similar events in the future close to major tourist events all around the island.
‘In particular, tribute has to be paid to the many new volunteers who got involved in the “TT Tidy Up” campaign,’ said Beach Buddies founder Bill Dale. ‘This was a fantastic effort by everyone and it has made a really noticeable difference to various paths and roads close to the TT course, as well as some of the Island’s beauty spots, which are so popular with our visitors.
‘I would like to give thanks to a number of local authorities who have been very supportive of our efforts this last week, especially Braddan who organised a major event in the Braddan Bridge area, Ramsey, who assisted the Ramsey beach and promenade cleaning session, Port Erin for helping dispose of rubbish collected at two sessions, and the parish commissioners at Rushen and Malew who helped clear collected bags of rubbish at Fisher’s Hill and Scarlett.
‘And we have had support from a number of groups, including regular supporters Castletown Heritage and the Open Water Swimmers, who took part in a beach cleaning event for the first time at Scarlett at the weekend.’
The campaign also resulted in a number of other parts of the island being identified as having a litter problem, with the public responding to an appeal for ‘hotspots’. It is hoped to tackle these areas during the coming week, prior to the start of Practice Week.
Three of the Beach Buddies volunteers will also walk the entire length of the Southern 100 course TT 2013 tomorrow (Tuesday) and collect roadside litter, prior to the Pre-TT Classic race meeting.
The final event of the TT Tidy Up campaign is the event postponed from the weekend, and will now take place at Peel on Wednesday evening, meeting at the Fenella Beach car park at 6.30pm.
As always, Beach Buddies will provide litterpickers, bin bags and gloves and organise disposal of the rubbish collected, recycling where possible.
