Asbestos dumped at bonfire site

Now local MLA Robin Swann, has demanded an investigation over the delay.

He said: “My office was contacted by local residents with concerns about the dumping of asbestos waste on the site of the Eleventh Night bonfire at Kellswater Bridge on the Slaght Road. On further investigation, I have found out that the Roads Service has fenced off the material while it awaits the arrival of a specialist waste management contractor from England who is licensed to deal with this material.

“I understand that the contractor will also remove material from another Roads Service site in the Ballymoney area.

“Given the length of time the material has already been there and the delay in having it removed, the dangers of contamination from vehicles driving over the material and spreading it across a wider area would appear to be significant.

“I have concerns on a number of issues; the time taken to remove the material, the cost of bringing specialists from England to deal with it, and the irresponsible and illegal actions of those who dumped the material in the first place.

“I have asked my party colleague, Danny Kennedy MLA, the Minister of Regional Development, to carry out an investigation into how this work has been allocated and what targets his department have in relation to the urgent removal of hazardous material.”

from the public highway,” said Assemblyman Swann.