Carrickfergus forest fly-tippers slammed for being ‘selfish’

Fly-tipping close to a Carrickfergus beauty spot during the Covid-19 crisis has been slammed as “selfish and senseless”.
Counicl has been asked to clear up at the site.Counicl has been asked to clear up at the site.
Counicl has been asked to clear up at the site.

Mid and East Antrim Councillor Andrew Wilson hit out at those behind the recent incident at an access point to Woodburn Forest.

The Ulster Unionist representative said: “A constituent reported fly-tipping to me this weekend near the Paisley Road, not far from the old drill site at Woodburn Forest.

“I just don’t understand why anyone feels the need to fly-tip. It damages our countryside and the environment. Our household recycling centres have also been open for a couple of weeks during the ongoing pandemic.”

Cllr Wilson added: “The fly-tipping is selfish and senseless. Whoever continues to do this must think it’s acceptable - it is not. I have asked council to investigate the source of the fly-tipping and to clear up the site.”

A spokesperson for Mid and East Antrim Council said: “At this stage, we can confirm that we have received a report of fly-tipping at the location in question and that staff have been tasked to clear it.”

The incident was discovered just days before the car park at Wooburn Forest is due to reopen.

On Thursday, Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Edwin Poots said: “Our estate has been restricted to the public since late March in an effort to slow down the spread of Covid-19, but I am very aware of how much people have missed our outdoor spaces and doing the things they love like walking, cycling and running – the things that are good for our hearts and good for our minds.

“Therefore, I have asked my department to make the necessary arrangements for DAERA-owned forests and country parks to gradually lift restrictions on a phased basis, starting with the reopening of car parks on Wednesday 27 May.

“Following discussions facilitated by my department, many other organisations including councils, have now indicated that they too, will begin to reopen their car parks at many of their sites on that date.”

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