A Portadown resident has raised questions about what he deems to be a neglected area of the town that in itself, he says, is “fast becoming a run-down district”.
The resident’s concerns for the Tandragee Road area have been mounting in the last number of years but he was recently prompted to speak out following the “constant polluting” of a “stinking” local river and the recent appearance of a new, “mysterious brown scum”.
Also among his fast-growing list of concerns are an increase in dog fouling, a lack of adequate street lighting, fallen trees, low hanging branches, inadequate bin provision, the “increasing amount” of HMO (houses of multiple occupancy) housing and blocked drains.
The resident – who preferred not to be named – said he has lived near the Annagh River his entire life, which he says means having to pass “the notorious, stinking, polluted” river on a daily basis.
He claims that for years the river has produced a foul smell – most noticeable during the warmer summer months – alongside a “filth” and “possible algae”.
However, while out for a walk he noticed a brown scum on the surface of the river that had not been there before.
Speaking to Armagh I, the concerned walker explained: “It looked like Coca-Cola, like bottles and bottles of it had been poured into the river.
“What ever has been poured into that river now to pollute it is absolutely disgusting.”
In the past, the resident has alerted Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and also Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart to the ongoing issues.
He said both had contacted the Rivers Agency on his behalf, but he claims that the agency have washed their hands of responsibility by “distancing themselves from the issues”.
Calling for “leadership”, the local man said the “brown stuff is the final straw” and feels that more needs to be done to provide the community with a “hub” for support in an area that he sees as “fast becoming a run-down district”.
In relation to street lighting, he said: “There are three lights at the top of the road and for two-and-a-half years at least two of them have not worked.
“There is one directly across from my house and it has never worked.
“You really wouldn’t want to walk out at night there. It can be quite scary.”
Most recently, the resident noticed an issue with drainage under the Annagh Bridge after a period of heavy rainfall.
“On Friday February 21, the Annagh Bridge was virtually under water caused by heavy rainfall but the drains were blocked.
“There also is an issue with blocked drains outside Portadown Fire Station in Thomas Street, the corner of Thomas Street and Meadow Lane at the traffic lights as well as the whole of the Carrickblacker Road further out of town, not forgetting the area close to the bottom of the Armagh Road heading to Armagh and Richhill.”
Armagh I have contacted the Department for Infrastructure and ABC Council for comment but at the time of writing have not received a reply.
