The DUP has slammed proposed incinerator plans at the site of the old Hightown Quarry and stated it is "not safe".

DUP South Antrim MLA Pam Cameron led an Assembly debate on the proposed incinerator and was disappointed Environment Minister Mark Durkan cancelled at the eleventh hour.

3,000 local residents are also against the plans.

She said: "This is a heavily populated area, but the existing road infrastructure is inadequate even for the current level of development, and could not cope with the volume of heavy vehicular traffic that a waste disposal facility at Hightown would bring.

-- Advertisement --

"Whilst ARC21 have stated that they plan to upgrade the Boghill and Hydepark Roads this is all relative and therefore a moot point. The proposed upgrades would barely be enough to bring the road infrastructure up to the standard required to deal with current traffic levels let alone the vast increase in heavy vehicles which would be using the road network in the vicinity.

"My concerned constituents and the NOARC21 group are not willing to let this go ahead without a fight and the very least I would expect from the Department is that the matter goes to public consultation before any decision is taken.

"The Minister should have been present for this debate however to respond to the strongly held views of people who live in this vicinity but I would hope that he employs common sense and can deliver a positive outcome for my constituents in the near future."

(CD/JP)