Largs bin cover-up raises concerns over their future

Various pictures have appeared on social media of the bins being covered by black bin liners, with some even having traffic cones placed beside them to prevent access.

One member of the public enquired: "Why are more than half the bins from the RNLI to Aubrey covered with bin liners. Even the one at the bus stop?"

Bins are also covered at the Moorburn Road end of Surrey Glen, and next to Mackerston Putting Green.

Largs Community Council recently launched a successful 'Love Largs' anti-litter campaign with emoji badges being handed out to schools, and posters going up around the town.

And a community councillor has told the News that he fears that council cuts could lead to the bins being taken away.

Jamie Black says he was astonished by the number of bins covered in bin liners and inoperable (Image: Newsquest) Community councillor Jamie Black said: "There are bins all around the prom and around the town centre which are unusable.

"If it is down to the bins requiring repairs, and there is no money, I fear that they might just take the bins away altogether.

"It seemed to happen en mass all of a sudden, with no warning given."

Mr Black, who has been a vocal critic of council cuts including campaigning for school librarian jobs to be saved, told the News that he believes there needs to be a reassessment of council funding in the area.

Bagged up! Numerous bins have been covered up and are inoperable (Image: Newsquest)

This comes after concerns were raised this summer about cuts to bedding plants in the town, leaving plant pots empty or in unsightly fashion, in contrast to other council regions.

Mr Black said he would be raising the matter at the next Largs Community Council meeting.

Independent councillor Ian Murdoch said: "I believe it is standard practice to prevent the public from using them if they are needing repaired or replaced.

"There may be no budget in order to do that so we may need to wait until the repairs are carried out.

"As always, I would encourage anyone with rubbish to hold on to it if the bin is not in operation, and use the next available bin."

Cllr Murdoch is seeking further information and clarification on the matter from North Ayrshire Council.

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “There were a total of 29 bins that were identified as needing some minor repairs to the locking mechanism – these had been highlighted some time ago, however, we decided not to do the works until after the holiday period was over to reduce the impact on visitors to the area.

“The bags were placed over the bins to prevent used while we arranged the repairs and a number of event bins were placed in some areas while we carried our these works which are now well under way – we expect that the this will be completed before the end of the week.”