Widespread support for scheme to remove Quoile river pollution

Widespread support for scheme to remove Quoile river pollution

6 July 2022

LOCAL politicians have weighed in with their support for a major new campaign to clean up Downpatrick’s Quoile river to help pave the way for it to become a key destination for water sports, fishing and recreation.

Finnebrogue Artisan is spearheading the drive to remove pollution from the picturesque waterway and has set up a new steering group featuring residents, anglers and sustainability experts.

In addition, a number of key organisations including the Environment Agency, Rivers Agency, Ulster Farmers’ Union, Newry, Mourne and Down Council and the Strangford and Lecale Partnership have weighed in with their support.

Calls for a masterplan to be developed to oversee the river’s future development have also been issued, with cross-party political support for the community-led campaign to clean the river and restore it as one of the area’s finest assets.

South Down MLA Diane Forsythe and councillors Gareth Sharvin and Robert Burgess have wholeheartedly welcomed the campaign and pledged their unequivocal support for the drive to restore the waterway. They also agree that there is a need for everyone to work together to address the issues at the Quoile. 

Ms Forsythe said the landmark river spans some 27 miles from its mouth in Ballynahinch, flowing through Downpatrick to its output at Strangford Lough. 

She added: “I am pleased to support this new project aimed to restore the river to its rightful status, a natural asset to Downpatrick.”

Cllr Sharvin said whether this is regarding the issues relating to the paths and the need to keep these as clean and tidy as possible, or access for anglers with additional needs, it is clear that more work and investment are needed to unlock the Quoile’s full potential.

“The Quoile is an essential link in the history of our town as it flows at the foot of Inch Abbey and it will also be familiar to many who are fans of the recent Game of Thrones television series, with the river’s walking trail an important part of our local, natural environment,” he said.

Cllr Sharvin welcomed plans to hold a multi-agency meeting to not only address the challenges facing the Quoile, but explore the possibilities that can be unlocked there.

He added: “We will be bringing together Department of Agriculture officials, Quoile Angling Club, and Downpatrick DEA forum members to address this.  

“We need as fulsome a discussion as possible to really address what the needs of the local community are and how we can best deliver on this. I look forward to seeing the outcomes of these meetings and how we can best deliver on the needs of the local community and unlock the real benefits the Quoile can offer.”

Cllr Burgess commended Finnebrogue Artisan for taking a lead on the issue and said while many have spoken about addressing issues at the waterway, the local firm has taken the bull by the horns and is keen to work with others to bring about change.

He added: “There has been no significant investment in the Quoile river in generations.

“While it is one of most natural assets, it offers so much potential that needs to be fully explored. I and others believe the river and its immediate surroundings offer significant potential which can be a game-changer for local tourism.”

Cllr Burgess added: “While there are issues to address, they can be overcome to open new and exciting possibilities that will add to the county town’s tourism offering and boost the local economy.”

Local people have also been asked for their views on what the Quoile river meant to them via an online survey, with the vast majority expressing concern about the waterway’s poor environmental condition which was preventing the waterway from reaching its full potential.

Anglers say they are pleased to support the campaign to clean the river and the new campaign group’s call for a co-ordinated, multi-agency approach to address “serious concerns about contamination” at the waterway.

Reasons cited for poor water quality included sewage, animal defecation, soil erosion and invasive species, but those surveyed believe that with proper investment, the river could be restored and developed into a top destination for water sports, fishing and recreation.

In addition, they believe the Quoile could become one of the district’s tourist hot-spots where the area’s history could be embraced and become an educational hub for learning and a cultural asset local people can be proud of.

The Clean-up the Quoile campaign claims a “legacy of neglect” has impacted on the river’s vulnerable eco-systems with various water samples taken from different parts of the waterway revealing high levels of human and animal waste and E.coli bacteria.