HUNDREDS of pallets and tyres collected for bonfires have been removed from a new £40 million walk and cycle path in east Belfast.
There was anger last week after it emerged that large amounts of bonfire material had been dumped at a section of the Connswater greenway and a nearby river.
Northern Ireland Environment Agency staff moved in before 8am yesterday to clear the area at Flora Street following local discussions.
Pallets had been collected in the area since January, but last week dozens of tyres, broken wood and an old sofa were added to the pile.
Discussions between local loyalists, bonfire builders, residents and users of the greenway has seen the formation of the Bloomfield Community Support Group (BCSG).
It said it will "advocate on behalf of those within the area who have felt that their culture was constantly being undermined and attacked".
Spokesman Richard Osborne said he was pleased agreement on the bonfire material had been reached.
"This solution is a positive one for our local community and we as a group emphasise that this is a local solution, and as such we wish to make clear that this isn't a pilot scheme or part of any wider movement in relation to bonfires.
"We hope this positive work can continue and we can develop on the energy and ideas, especially from those involved in cultural expressions, and present a strategic development plan that will positively showcase our community and build intra-community cohesion and the capacity of our residents and neighbours."
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs confirmed the clean-up operation was carried out at the request of Belfast City Council following community support.
“NIEA has removed bonfire material which included several hundred pallets and several hundred tyres from the new Comber Greenway (near Flora Street) and adjacent river.
"A much smaller amount of bonfire material will be removed today from the 'Walkway' area of east Belfast, also part of the Greenway."
Meanwhile, no action has yet been taken to tackle a build-up of bonfire material beside a housing estate in Co Antrim.
A large number of pallets and other items were placed adjacent to Greenpark Drive in Antrim town last week.
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council confirmed on Monday it received a complaint about the site, but said "due to the volume of items deposited" it had passed on details to the NIEA.
The agency said yesterday: “NIEA has just been notified regarding a bonfire site on open ground beside Greenpark Drive in Antrim, and are currently investigating the incident."
