Green party calls for Canal clean-up

Speaking after visiting the site downstream of Hilden Bridge, Mr Quinn commented: “I was aghast at the scale of pollution that has accumulated in the canal at Hilden Bridge after this issue was brought to my attention by a local resident.

“The re-appearance of a seal in the Lagan in recent weeks is testimony to the progress that has been made in water quality. Unfortunately various government agencies continue to let Northern Ireland down by failing to keep our waterways clear and free from pollution.

“My understanding is that the canal section of the Lagan is under the ownership and responsibility of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, while the Rivers Agency, under the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, also has a statutory duty to keep waterways clear. The pollution build up at the Hilden weir has the potential to create a flooding situation and I am calling DCAL and the Rivers Agency to take pre-emptive action to remove this material.

“I also call on Lisburn City Council to contact the Rivers Agency in respect of this matter. Lagan Valley Regional Park is a vital part of our local tourism offering and this section of the canal is nothing short of a disgrace.”

Mr Quinn continued: “In Northern Ireland we continue to have an atrocious record in the protection and maintenance of our waterways.

“The Green Party maintains that we will only see significant change once we have created an independent and effective Environmental Protection Agency, to hold all Government departments to account and we will be campaigning for such a body in the forthcoming Assembly elections.”