Lisburn Castlereagh Supports Clean Coasts Week

May 30, 2019

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council put its own spin on the Coca-Cola Clean Coasts Week managed by Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful.

Staff and volunteers from Lagan Valley Regional Park and Lisburn City Paddlers took to the River Lagan to remove items irresponsibly thrown into it. 

Canoes entered the river at Glenmore Activity Centre and made their way along the Lagan lifting rubbish to the side where it was collected by land based volunteers along the riverbanks and towpath.  They also took the opportunity to clear a large area of overhanging and dangerous branches and vegetation from the water course near Glenmore.

The area targeted by the volunteers for this clean-up has regrettably had an issue with litter for some time.  The council was amazed at the quantity and size of items that were being removed from the Lagan.  Some of the items removed included: an iron gate, a shopping trolley, a wooden sofa, duvet and blankets.  Fishing line was also retrieved from the river which can be a danger to the birds that live on the Lagan.

Alderman James Tinsley, Chairman of the council’s Leisure & Community Development Committee said: “We need to preserve this historic river that connects three council areas for future generations.  It is hoped that this joint partnership approach taken between the council and the community will make a huge difference aesthetically and environmentally.”

The council would ask everyone to respect our local waterways and dispose of their rubbish and unwanted items responsibly.