Protect Cregagh Glen - End the pollution now
Cregagh Glen is one of east Belfast’s natural treasures - a wooded river valley where families walk, children explore, and local people go to clear their heads and reconnect with nature. It is part of a vital green corridor for wildlife and a rare oasis of peace beside busy roads and housing.
Yet in just a couple of years, Cregagh Glen’s river has been hit by repeated pollution incidents. Each incident strips life from the water, scars the landscape and sends a clear message that our local environment is being treated as expendable. This is unacceptable in 2026.
We, the undersigned, say clearly: Cregagh Glen must be protected, not polluted.
We call on DAERA, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, NI Water, Belfast City Council and the National Trust to work together and urgently:
- Identify and stop the sources of pollution entering the Cregagh Glen River.
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Deliver a full clean‑up and habitat‑restoration plan for the glen and its river.
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Invest in the infrastructure needed to prevent future sewage, silt or chemical discharges.
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Publish regular, transparent monitoring results so local communities can see what is happening to their river.
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Use strong enforcement powers against any polluters, so it is cheaper to do the right thing than to pollute and pay a token fine.
Our local green spaces are not an afterthought. They are essential for health, wellbeing, wildlife and climate resilience in Belfast. When a beauty spot like Cregagh Glen is allowed to be repeatedly polluted, it tells every community that our environment comes last.
By signing this petition, you are sending a clear message:
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That Cregagh Glen matters.
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That east Belfast deserves clean rivers and safe, healthy nature.
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That regulators, utilities and landowners must be held to account when they fail to protect our shared home.
We demand action, accountability and long‑term protection for Cregagh Glen - and we will keep speaking up until this glen is safe, clean and thriving again.