A £700,000 capital investment will be provided to support the council’s street cleansing fleet upgrade, alongside a further £500,000 of funding that will be targeted towards ‘enhanced staffing and cleansing schedules’ in line with the aims of the local authority’s District Cleansing Review.

The review seeks to improve cleansing standards in the area, with a focus on works such as bin emptying, street sweeping, fly-tipping management and litter clearing, while ensuring these high-quality services are delivered ‘consistently’.

As part of the council’s Fleet Management Replacement Programme, seven new street cleansing vehicles have also been acquired, improving the efficiency of cleansing services in the area and offering workers ‘better access to residential locations’ through the ‘compact design’ of the vehicles.

According to the local authority, the ‘high-performance’ vehicles will help combat ‘persistent issues’ like the removal of chewing gum and dog fouling.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Chairperson, Cllr Philip Campbell said: ‘This is about more than just keeping our streets clean - it’s about fostering pride in our communities, supporting wellbeing and investing in the people who live and work here.

‘We are committed to delivering high-quality, responsive services that reflect the priorities of our residents. This investment forms part of the council’s broader ambition to build sustainable, connected and vibrant communities across the district.’

Sign up here to receive our free weekly news bulletin and quarterly e-book.