Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Safety fears for teens crossing weir to drink
PSNI warn of ‘incredibly dangerous behaviour’
YOUNG people are putting their lives at risk crossing a weir to get to anti-social behaviour hot spots, it has emerged.
Concerns over the structure near the Lockview Road area of South Belfast have arisen since work started on a new footbridge over the River Lagan.
Locals said that since the scheme, which is part of the £4.8million Lagan Gateway Project, got under way there have been gatherings of up to 100 young people on the Annadale side of the river.
Similar issues have been reported for a number of years at nearby Lagan Meadows, but residents have revealed young people are now moving between the two sites using the weir.
PSNI Chief Inspector Gavin Kirkpatrick said: “We have been made aware of young people engaging in dangerous activity on and around the area of the Lagan weir. With deep water and a significant undercurrent, this incredibly dangerous behaviour must stop.”
One resident added: “I can’t sleep at night, I can’t have my windows open because of the noise when they all gather there. And on the mornings after, the amount of plastic bottles, the tins floating in the river is unbelievable.
“This sort of thing has been going on for years at Lagan Meadows, but it’s only started across the river since they started work on this bridge. They’re often moving from
SOUTH BELFAST YESTERDAY
the Lockview side by using the weir, then you’ll see them at night coming back the other way and quite often it’s obvious they’ve drink taken.
“These are young ones using the light of their phones to see where they’re going. If they fall in that water beneath the weir they won’t be coming out again.”
Locals have also raised concerns that wildlife including otters, kingfishers, hedgehogs and herons will be harmed during the construction of the bridge. Over recent days there has already been a significant removal of trees lining the riverbank on the Annadale side.
Residents claim they were not consulted by Belfast City Council regarding the building of the bridge with only a “handful” of houses in the area receiving letters.
A Belfast City Council spokesperson said a public consultation exercise took place and associated environmental assessments were carried out ahead of the planning application in 2017.
They added: “Following concerns raised by local residents about increased anti-social behaviour and other issues since the summer, council has organised a drop-in public information event on Tuesday from noon to 8pm at Belfast Boat Club.
“At the event the council, the contractor and other partner agencies will provide details on the project and be available to discuss residents’ concerns.”