Bonfire material removed from £40m Connwater Greenway

There was an outcry after bonfire material appeared along the Flora Street walkway section of the £40million development in the east of the city.

Workers from the Northern ireland Environment Agency began clearing away the material today.

And a community representative has spoken out on behalf of the bonfire collectors, saying the materials were removed because those involved have pride in their area.

Robert Osborne from Bloomfield Community Support Group told the BBC’s Stephen Nolan Show this morning that young people were “happy to step away”.

He said the plan now was to hold a fun day and light a beacon on the Eleventh Night.

Robert added: “There is pride, we take pride in everything we do. We try to keep it clean but there are certain individuals who mess it up. Most of the kids try to keep it clean, it’s what they work hard for.

“We have come to the decision in order to keep east Belfast progressing and flourishing, with all that money put into the park we can’t see it go to waste.

“Youths know they can always go to a different bonfire. You have got ones within a couple of metres of each other. It is near enough - a stone’s throw away for most of them.

“We’ve made a conscience choice and they are happy enough, the fun day is enough for the kids.

“We want our community to flourish and get better for the next generation - because at the end of the day the children are our future.”

Robert said that the bonfire is “like family” and that being involved helps young people stay out of trouble.

“These kids aren’t out committing crimes or leading themselves into drugs”, he added.

Robert pledged that the new community group was going to give young people in the area “something else to do”.

“I broke it down to them and explained what we could do for them,” he said.

“We are going to change their lives, take them away from running about the street and give them better outcomes.”

Also speaking on the Nolan Show was loyalist blogger Jamie Bryson, who said the group has demonstrated “positive leadership”.

He also praised Robert for representing the bonfire builders, adding: “Each bonfire needs to have someone to speak on their behalf and advocating on their behalf rather than the same old faces.”