Ringsend Residents Group concerned about planned dumps in rural area

One resident, who did not wish to be named told The Times: "Time is running out.

"Every resident and business owner in the Garvagh area must sign one of these objection letters.

"The impact on this town could be catastrophic."

Garvagh is already used as a through-way for the Craigmore landfill, but if planning permission is granted for a proposed superdump in Ringsend, the traffic flow will increase.

At a meeting last week, in the town's GADDA building, members of the Ringsend Residents Group met with Garvagh residents to discuss the impact on the area.

At the meeting, residents noted that there has been a large increase in HGV lorries travelling along Main Street to the Craigmore site.

Residents also fear that the traffic will increase further, if licences are granted for two other landfill sites, which are currently in the planning process.

A decision on the site at Cam, near Ringsend, will be made this summer.

The proposed 'superdump' at this site could accept waste from seven different council areas.

Residents strongly felt that this second dump would create further problems for Garvagh.

Those in attendance spoke about the smell and dirt and the damage to infrastructure these lorries would have on the town, and the effect on the town's economy.

The impact of the dumps on tourism could be catastrophic, according to one local angling group.

The group claims that run off from the dumps, could reach the Agivey River, which they say has already seen a significant decline in salmon numbers.

Residents agreed that Garavgh must be pr active in objecting to the sites. Objection letters are available to sign at the GADDA building.

REPORT: Nichola Forgrave