Galliagh ‘not a dumping ground’, tippers warned

Councillor Mellon said residents were extremely concerned at the quantities of rubbish being gathered at and, in many cases taken to, the bonfire site at an open area near Galliagh Park.

Her comments come after a recent survey revealed the majority of residents do not want the bonfire and the activities associated with it in their area.

“For some time now, residents have been under a lot of stress in the Galliagh Park area dealing with fly tipping on a field at the back of their homes due to a large bonfire site,” Colr. Mellon said.

“They are also being tortured by the use of fireworks on a nightly basis. We have held meetings with residents who have been suffering stress every night and feel very frustrated.

“I have lost count of the number of reports I have been given about cars and vans pulling up at the green space there and people tipping out any rubbish they have in their vehicles with total disregard for the local community. My question to them is, would you like this on your doorstep?

“I have continued to report any fly-tipping to both the Council and the police. Fly tipping is illegal, and it needs to stop. Galliagh is not a dumping ground, it is also not an area that people can come to and wreck as they want. It is our community; it is people’s lives and homes being affected and it needs to be stopped.

“We will continue to push for the Housing Executive and the Department for Communities to act on the wishes of residents for these materials to be removed. Two thirds of residents surveyed do not want a bonfire and demand action. I stand with them on this call.”