South Belfast residents fear that the "Lagan will be destroyed" due to the number of trees that will be potentially chopped down for the flood alleviation scheme.
A number of trees and hedgerows along the River Lagan have been chopped down in recent weeks while investigation works take place for the Belfast Tidal Flood Alleviation Scheme.
The project will see the creation of 8.5km of flood defences on both sides of the River Lagan from Stranmillis Weir to Belfast Lough, which includes flood walls, flood gates, demountable and temporary barriers.
The works so far have sparked outrage among a number of South Belfast residents after trees in the Stranmillis area were chopped down as part of the scheme, with further trees along the river being removed in the following days.
A protest was held by local school children on Wednesday who were upset at the loss of the trees, with a public meeting to address the issue taking place at the Ballynafeigh Community Development Association on Thursday night, which was attended by local residents and politicians.
Colin Shaw, who headed the meeting, said that residents are planning to launch a campaign against the removal of the trees and have called for a meeting with Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon and the contractors before the scheme progresses any further.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Colin said: "Residents have had a stark realisation about how powerless we are while these works are taking place and have decided that we need to come together and campaign to save our Lagan.
"All we have seen so far from this scheme is destruction and concrete and we fear that the Lagan area could be destroyed forever. It has taken 90 years or more for these trees to grow and they have been chopped down in a matter of days and we firmly believe their removal will only cause further problems.
"At the meeting on Thursday night we had the chance to put our feelings across to local representatives and have called for this scheme to be halted until we have the opportunity to meet with the minister and contractors to have a discussion about how it moves forward without having such a devastating impact on the environment and wildlife.
"Currently there is no trust in the DFI with local residents due to the lack of engagement and consultation around the removal of the trees and vegetation. We have been given no justification as to why they have been removed and no information about how many trees are potentially at risk.
"There is a huge strength of feeling about what has happened so far and we are determined to do what we can to ensure that the Lagan and its banks are properly protected."
Following the meeting, Botanic Green Party councillor Aine Groogan said: "Great to meet so many who care so passionately about our environment! The message for DFI is clear- pause the site clearance until you can give appropriate assurances around the work. The trust is gone. It wont be built back by ploughing on ahead & trying to explain after."
A Department for Infrastructure spokesperson said: “No major incidents of tidal flooding have taken place in recent years. Minor localised flooding has in the past occurred along Lockview Road, with the most recent occurrence being on 21st October 2017. In the past few years there has also been a number of occasions where high tide levels have come close to exceeding quay levels and flooding areas of Belfast City Centre susceptible to tidal flooding. If this flooding were to occur it would have a serious effect on property, infrastructure and the environment. A result of the Departments proactive approach to managing flood risk, schemes like the Belfast tidal project are taken forward where viable and affordable to alleviate flooding to appropriate design standards.
“The Belfast Tidal Flood Protection Scheme includes 8,5km of flood defences on both sides of the River Lagan from Stranmillis Weir to Belfast Lough, which includes flood walls, flood gates, demountable and temporary barriers and some In channel works which will take into account both current and future flood risk.
“Only the trees along the line of the proposed flood defences are to be removed. Some trees and shrubs will be required to be removed in the vicinity of Lanyon place, particularly where the flood defences follow the boundary line of the train station. In order to reduce the visual impact of the works, the flood defences will include for brick cladding and the re-planting of shrubs and vegetation will be undertaken where possible.”
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