Removal of 200 Shopping Trolleys from Clanrye Riverbed

The Belfast Telegraph recently highlighted Newry’s unattractive city centre river course blighted by discarded shopping trolleys.

With a low tide occurring recently, the opportunity was taken to remove over 200 old and rusty trolleys from the Clanrye riverbed (between Soho car parking and River Street).

Speaking about the removal project, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Naomi Bailie said, “Many of the trolleys removed had gathered over several years, with no attempt to recover them. The Clanrye River transformation is remarkable however removal of the trolleys did incur costs, bulk of which involved crane hire and contractor. Each of the Supermarket chains from which the trolleys belonged to, contributed towards the costs of the project. Contribution was based on number identified trolleys, in proportion to total number removed.”

Councillor Bailie added, “Moving forward, the Council is developing a Waste Strategy and the issue/problem relating to shopping trolleys will be addressed.”