WORK is ongoing to ensure that litter bins can be installed on the A82 on the west side of Loch Lomond by the end of May, a community figure has promised.
But Duncan MacLachlan, director and chair of the Arrochar and Tarbet Community Development Trust, added that fly-tipping and toileting in lay-bys on the road remains a concern.
The project to install 20 litter bins on the stretch of road between Arden and Tarbet is a joint initiative with the Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs conservation charity, of which Mr MacLachlan is a trustee.
He gave the update at a virtual meeting of Argyll and Bute Council’s Helensburgh and Lomond Community Planning Group on Thursday, May 20.
A report in advance of the meeting said: “The Development Trust have aligned with the Friends to progress a Two Lochs visitor management project that emerged from stakeholder discussions.
READ MORE: Loch Lomond charity puts forward bid to solve A82 litter problems
“[This will be] on a partnership basis with local community representatives, tourism business groups, with support of landowners and the agencies to help address problems of excessive toileting and littering, and to promote more responsible tourism at the busy hotspot locations at Duck Bay, Arrochar and Loch Lomondside lay-bys from Arden to Tarbet.”
Lomond North SNP councillor Iain S Paterson said at the meeting: “I want to commend the Friends and all contributing parties for what has been going on in the area, especially the progress of laying out the litter bins up Loch Lomond.
“How has that been going, because the last correspondence I had, there was an issue about who was going to be putting them in place?”
Mr MacLachlan replied: “We are having a lot of help and support from Transport Scotland about getting permissions and qualified contractors to work on the bases for the bins.
“Progress is being made and we are also working with the National Park Authority in terms of the amount and types of litter that will be dealt with.
READ MORE: Access Trust volunteers begin work to improve popular walking route near town
“We have a contract that bins will be uplifted and waste will be disposed of, but there have been reports of excessive fly-tipping that the bins will not cope with.
“We are trying to make an impact and give visitors a better impression. The amount of toileting going on in the lay-bys is just disgusting, and we are trying to make a difference.
“I am not saying we will resolve it altogether, but we will try to make it better.
“Temporary toilets at Arrochar and Duck Bay are designed to help, but it is an ongoing situation.”
Mr MacLachlan added: “The challenge is trying to get it all done. We have a quick turnaround situation and are trying our best.
“There may be some hiccup towards the end, but the target is the end of May.”
Friends vice-chairman John Urquhart contacted the council earlier in 2021 with the idea of situating bins along the stretch of road to help cope with what is expected to be a busier summer than usual.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here