Bin lids thrown onto railway tracks in Newtown vandalism incidents

Open Newtown has warned that repeated vandalism in one of Newtown’s main park areas could cost thousands of pounds to repair after bin lids were reportedly removed and thrown onto railway tracks.

The incidents happened in the Vaynor area, according to a report submitted to Newtown Town Council by Open Newtown, which manages more than 100 acres of public green space across the town on behalf of the town council and Powys County Council. 

The report states: “At least two of our bin lids in the Vaynor area were removed and thrown on the railway track, making it dangerous for train users and people needing to retrieve the bins.” 

Open Newtown said it hoped the lids could be recovered after their location had been identified.

“Hopefully both will be retrieved, as we’ve identified their location,” the report adds. 

The organisation warned the vandalism could place major financial pressure on park maintenance budgets.

“Otherwise, cost to ourselves is £500 to replace,” the report states. 

It also warns that replacing the bins with more secure modern versions would be significantly more expensive.

“Cost to replace each bin with modern steel bins would be upwards of £1000 each,” the report says.

“We have 15 plus bins of this type, so we don’t have the budget to make all changes in one year.” 

Photographs included in the report show littering and overflowing bins in parts of the park network.

Open Newtown said it continues to monitor waste issues and work with contractors responsible for maintenance and bin emptying.

The incidents were included in Open Newtown’s latest land management report covering safety, maintenance and environmental work across Newtown’s green spaces.