Residents in the Galliagh and Collon Lane areas of Derry have hit out at the high level of anti-social behaviour taking place at an underpass linking the two estates.
The underpass on Glengalliagh Road has become a hotspot for vandalism, illegal dumping with fires regularly being lit.
In the latest incident, a wheelie bin was taken from a house in the Collon Lane, and set on fire (pictured) in the tunnel at around 9.30pm on Sunday night.
The blaze resulted in plumes of thick black smoke engulfing a section of the Glengalliagh Road, and rendered the tunnel impassable.
A number residents in the Collon Lane want to see the underpass closed off at the earliest opportunity.
One man, who have lived in the street for ten years, said it now got to the point where residents were fearful of leaving wheelie bins overnight for fear of them being stolen and burned out.
“This has been going on for years, everyone knows it has and we’re sick, sore and tired of asking for something to be done about it,” he said.
“Look at the bother it’s causing, not just with us, but incidents where cars have been attacked by youths hanging about the tunnel.
“And just look at the state of the thing too, I couldn’t tell you anyone who even walks through it anymore, even during daytime because it’s a health hazard with the rubbish and who knows what left lying in there.
“Just close the thing up and be done with it so we can live in peace.”
Meanwhile, Derry City and Strabane District Council said considering implementing a Gating Order at the underpass in an effort to bring such incidents to an end.
The news comes after Gating Orders were put in place in three areas of Galliagh in response to similar concerns about anti-social behaviour.
One of the areas was an underpass located at Bradley’s Pass, after residents living close to the tunnel had campaigned for years to have it closed off.
A spokesperson for Derry City and Strabane District Council said they ‘are aware of the issues regarding anti-social behaviour in the area’ and are working closely with community representatives to find long-term solutions to the problem.
“A Gating Order at the underpass is one of the measures currently being considered and in the interim period Community Warden patrols will be stepped up in the area to help address the issue,” the spokesperson said.
“Anyone with concerns about anti-social activity in the area should also report any incidents directly to the PSNI.”
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