County Derry residents angry over mud issue

Residents in a County Derry housing estate have expressed anger after mud, which was spread around pavements and roads in the site by diggers and tractors working at a nearby river, wasn't cleaned up afterwards.

Householders living in St Canice's Park in Eglinton said the mud was spread around the estate by heavy machinery being used to clear out a river which runs through the estate.

The work was being carried out by Rivers staff on November 4 and despite contacting the Department for Infrastructure asking them to clean up the mess left behind, one resident said it still hadn't been cleared a week later.

The man, who preferred not to be named, said the mud is being trodden into the homes of people living in the site.

"It's an absolute disgrace the mess that has been left behind here. There are lots of children in this site and they are having to walk through it and it's being carried into the houses leaving an awful mess.

No traffic calming measures outside Co Derry primary schools

One of the schools was previously told they 'did not meet the criteria'.

"I have contacted the department twice however no-one has come out to clean it,” he said.

"It's terrible that they (DfI) think we are just going to put up with this. They have an obligation to clean up after themselves, after all they are getting well enough paid for it."

When contacted by the County Derry Post on Friday, the Department for Infrastructure spokesperson stated: “The Department carried out essential watercourse maintenance work to a nearby river which required using transporting machinery.

"This created some muddy tyre tracks during the wet weather and the Department has cleaned most of this material from the roads and footpaths.

"No further cleaning is planned at this location as it is expected that the remaining very small residue will be washed off by the rain which has been forecast over the weekend."