Appalled at green slime on our river

I AM so appalled at the neglect of the River Ely, at Penarth Road and Grangemoor juncture in Cardiff.

For about six weeks the amount of green algae has been increasing at an alarming rate.

I have seen poor swans covered in the green slimy algae. This has got to be detrimental to the health of all the wildlife living on the river or dependant on the river for food etc.

I did phone Cardiff Harbour Authority on August 8 to voice my concerns... nothing at all has been done. A friend also phoned two weeks prior to my call to explain the condition of the river.

My friends and I meet regularly at the side of river at Grangemoor and have seen swans covered in green slime and I know whether the algae is blue or green is irrelevant when it increases to the extent it has and when the animals are covered in this green slime, this has to be so bad for their health and well-being.

Not only that, what impression does that have on visitors to Cardiff? As my friends and I got talking to some American tourists who were riding on the trail they were quite appalled at the condition of this part of the River Ely, especially when I explained that the rivers authority people had been contacted twice, at least that I know about.

The three Americans were enjoying our beautiful city, but this really did upset them, as anyone who had any compassion for animals and witnessed the state of some of the swans, would be disturbed.

A city that allows this problem to not only continue but to flourish unchecked and with their knowledge is shameful. Why the apathy? The department in the council are not unpaid volunteers (probably have healthier rivers if this was the case), they are supposedly qualified professionals, who also happen to be well-paid for their skills. Katy Monaghan Cardiff