Anti-litter drive success at Enagh

The forum also says it has received complaints about general anti-social behaviour including the burning of woodland trees.

A spokesperson for EYF said: “During the autumn months, we were again contacted by landowners in and around Enagh Lough in relation to the litter problem.

“In a response to this, in October of this year Enagh Youth Forum through DCYW Step Ahead Programme, employed three environmental workers to help protect the local Enagh Lough which is an outstanding area of natural beauty and an area of high intrinsic environmental value.

“As a result of this Enagh Lough is almost virtually litter free with over 60 black bin liners of rubbish removed from the Lough and surrounding area in recent weeks.

“A number of native trees have also been panted in the area and we have now established an arrangement with Derry City Council who have agreed to collect and dispose of the rubbish when necessary.

“We would also like Council to some action steps to tackle the ever increasing problem of the presence of Japanese Knotweed in the area which is an invasive species.”

The forum is also appealing to people in Strathfoyle, Maydown and from elsewhere visiting the Lough, especially young people not to venture out onto Enagh Lough or areas of frozen ice and for parents to warn children about the dangers it presents to prevent a tragedy occurring.

“Although frozen water can look tempting or fun to walk on, there is no way of knowing whether it will hold your weight and by the time you find out that it won’t it’s often too late.

“Last December EYF received numerous phone calls from concerned residents regarding children as young as 8 walking out to the middle of the frozen lough and we do not want this to happen this year as it is so so dangerous,” a spokesperson said.