MLA condemns Stockdam Road fly-tipping

“Unfortunately fly-tipping remains a problem across our district with material being dumped at the side of roads, particularly in rural areas, instead of using council amenity sites or special collections that can be provided by the Council,” said Mr Givan, who is seeking re-election in the forthcoming Stormont Assembly election, which will be held on Thursday May 5.

Fly-tipping or illegal dumping refers to any material or rubbish which is dumped on the road or on land which has not been designated for the disposal of waste.

Mr Givan was particularly annoyed that in this instance a mattress had been dumped on the road, in close proximately to the amenity site at The Cutts in Derriaghy, where such waste can be legally disposed of.

“The Stockdam Road is used by local residents that live in the area, who are walking to Duncan’s Dam for recreational enjoyment and instead of enjoying the rural character of the area a dirty mattress is dumped along the road,” continued Mr Givan.

“I am particularly disgusted that such large objects, in this case a mattress, are being discarded in rural areas only five minutes drive from the nearest amenity site at The Cutts.

“Every instance of fly-tipping places a cost to the council to assess, collect and dispose of the material dumped.

“It is the ratepayers that have to carry the cost as well as the environmental damage that can take place.

“I would appeal to the public that if they witness this type of activity or they are suspicious of vehicles in the area that could dump material to report this to the police and the Council.

“Only by hitting those people that engage in this behaviour in the pocket and bringing them before the Courts will this stop.”

Anyone who notices someone dumping materials or who has information about this or other incidents of fly-tipping in the Lisburn and Castlreagh City Council area can contact the council on 028 9250 9250.

Alternatively, members of the public can report incidences of fly-tipping or illegal dumping of waste to the police in Lisburn by using the non-emergency number 101.

The council amenity site at Derriaghy is open Monday until Saturday from 9am until. The site is closed on a Sunday, The last entry is ten minutes before closing time.

There are also council run facilities at Drumlough and in Carryduff.

For further information contact 028 9250 9453 or email [email protected].