Empty glass bottles and dog mess concern locals

A former Mayor and local community groups say children who use a play park games area are being put at risk by glass bottles and dog mess in the Windermere area near Ballymacash.
By The Newsroom
Published 22nd Apr 2014, 08:37 BST
Alderman William Leathem, centre, with Rhoda Walker, DUP, Richard Haggan, chair of Windermere Community Association, Jonathan Corry, chair of North Lisburn Community Investment, and Frankie O'Neill, vice chair of Windermere Community Association, have raised concerns about anti-social drinking in the Windermere area leaving a large number of bottles and broken glass close to a children's play park. US1416-532cd Picture: Cliff DonaldsonAlderman William Leathem, centre, with Rhoda Walker, DUP, Richard Haggan, chair of Windermere Community Association, Jonathan Corry, chair of North Lisburn Community Investment, and Frankie O'Neill, vice chair of Windermere Community Association, have raised concerns about anti-social drinking in the Windermere area leaving a large number of bottles and broken glass close to a children's play park. US1416-532cd Picture: Cliff Donaldson
Alderman William Leathem, centre, with Rhoda Walker, DUP, Richard Haggan, chair of Windermere Community Association, Jonathan Corry, chair of North Lisburn Community Investment, and Frankie O'Neill, vice chair of Windermere Community Association, have raised concerns about anti-social drinking in the Windermere area leaving a large number of bottles and broken glass close to a children's play park. US1416-532cd Picture: Cliff Donaldson

DUP councillor, Alderman William Leathem and Rhoda Walker, Lisburn South DUP election candidate, recently met on site with community representatives from both North Lisburn Community Investment and Windermere Community groups to discuss the issues.

Mr Leathem, said he was disappointed with the number of discarded glass bottles and the amount of dog mess.

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He explained that in a ten-day period residents and council officers collected approximately 100 five-glass vodka bottles and 60 dog poop bags.

“This is completely unacceptable – our children should be allowed to play safely,” he said. “It is very disturbing that adults in the local community believe it is appropriate to leave such litter in an area frequently used by young children.

“Such appalling behaviour is hazardous to the health of others who could be cut by the glass or young children could have their eyesight affected by dog poop,” he added.

“The residents of Windermere and Ballymacash also raised concerns with me regarding oil being drained from tanks in their gardens and suspicious packages being left behind trees and collected a short time later. I have spoken with Lisburn PSNI to ask for further patrols in the area,”

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Mrs Walker said: “As a mother of two young boys who regularly play at these facilities I was shocked by the litter left in close proximity of the play park. I am also extremely concerned that the area has become a gathering spot for alcoholics.

“I am sure that all parents in the Ballymacash area will be horrified by the quantity of rubbish collected from this popular play area .”

Related topics:MayorDUP