Bonfire material set on fire on new greenway costing tens of millions
There was anger when the tyres and pallets were left on the new cycling and walking greenway. But now some of it has been set on fire.
Bonfire material including large numbers of pallets and tyres is being stored on a new £40 million greenway in Belfast.
And overnight some of it was set on fire.
The material appears to be for use in the annual July 12th bonfires, four months from now.
It has been stored on the Connswater Community Greenway in east Belfast. The facility aims to create a linear park stretching for 9km.
It is open to cyclists and walkers and forms part of an extensive network of greenways under construction or planned for the North.
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Belfast City Council said it was aware of the material, which has been left on that stretch of the greenway at Flora St.
However, it said issues around bonfires were complex. That response drew criticism from many people on social media, see below.
Alliance party councillor David Armitage said the material should be removed immediately.
The new multi-million-pound greenway in east Belfast. Today, it looks more orange than green ... pic.twitter.com/5qRdCWd6HY
— Mark Simpson (@BBCMarkSimpson) March 10, 2017
“Alliance recognises everyone has the right to celebrate their culture and traditions but it must be done in a safe, legal and respectful manner,” he said.
“Leaving dozens of tyres to be burnt such as this is neither of those and needs addressed by Belfast City Council immediately.
“The greenway is a positive celebration of all that is best about East Belfast. We must recognise the area is a shared space which has been a boon to the area.
“There is clearly a wider issue around bonfires, their safe and legal construction, and communication with the local community on the matter.
“We have worked hard over the past few months with others to provide a new scheme in the area to prevent situations such as this occurring.
“I would call on those involved to remove these tyres voluntarily to ensure everyone has free enjoyment of the greenway.”
Belfast council gets a roasting
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Conswater community greenway, so long as you're 'that' community @belfastcc @ConnsGreenway at least shift the tyres pic.twitter.com/843T5s9VgJ
— Andy Beavis (@BelfastAndy) March 9, 2017
@belfastcc @ConnsGreenway section from beersbridge to avoneil
— Andy Beavis (@BelfastAndy) March 9, 2017
@BelfastAndy - thanks Andy. This is a complex area but we’re continuing to work closely with partners & communities to address these issues.
— Belfast City Council (@belfastcc) March 9, 2017
@BelfastAndy – burning of tyres is looked after by NIEA, but it’s one of many issues both us & partners are working to address in this case.
— Belfast City Council (@belfastcc) March 10, 2017
@belfastcc @BelfastAndy I've some rubbish to dump, can I just dump it there beside the tyres.@JohnPaulWhearty
— Ann Allan (@apallan) March 9, 2017
Complex area my ass.
Do your job.
Enforce the law.— Grumpy Old Doc (@GrumpyOldDoc) March 10, 2017
@KimberlyMack28 This is why we can't have nice things. @belfastcc @BelfastAndy
— John Brown (@I_John_Brown) March 10, 2017
@belfastcc @BelfastAndy It's not complex. It's illegal flytipping with the intention to burn the tyres in a blatant breach of EU law.
— ruth allum (@mgtruth) March 10, 2017
@belfastcc @BelfastAndy Just move in and lift them, it's 4 months away FFS!
— CregganDerry (@CregganDerry) March 9, 2017
@belfastcc @BelfastAndy Might need to stop ploughing millions into this excellent community space until council can stop the abuse of it
— Jim McLean (@gingirish) March 9, 2017
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