A NEW initiative by Westmeath County Council will see community warden bicycle patrols rolled out in all the towns and villages across the county.
The new initiative will save 11 tonnes in CO2 emissions per annum as council staff swap their vans for all terrain bicycles.
Loosely modelled on the Garda’s community policing system, the project is designed to tackle environmental, traffic and social issues.
The council’s chairman, Labour councillor Mick Dollard said the initiative helps to “build up a relationship with local communities and provide a visible presence”.
“I’d like to think that Westmeath County Council are a proactive and innovative local authority,” he said.
The wardens will be involved in environmental awareness, control of litter, pollution prevention, identification of derelict sites, control of casual trading, promotion of the Green Schools initiative, assistance to community and voluntary groups and control of horses and dogs.
County manager Daniel McLoughlin said: “Importantly this initiative will ensure more efficient service provision by the council. It will ensure that the community warden service will be more visible and accessible to the community at a very local level.”