Lovely Lee project continues with river clean-up

A PROJECT involving the gradual cleaning of the River Lee continued yesterday.

Volunteers, with the support of local businesses, are attempting to clear garbage off the river bed.

The team had various inoculations as protection from infections lurking in the silt. They were decked from head-to-toe in water- proofs and protective clothing.

The mission was to remove trollies, road bollards and many other alien objects hurled into the river over the years.

The groups commenced the clean-up on a section of the river last month. Yesterday, they focused on clearing the south channel from the Port of Cork offices to Parliament Bridge at Sullivan’s Quay.

Project coordinator David Rogoyne said the team only have a couple of days a month when the conditions permit a river-bed clean up.

“We were all at a leadership course and we were asking how you could clean up the River Lee and it all started from there.

“The tide has to be low and it has to be daylight so there is limited time during any month when we are able to do this,” he said.

It was a voluntary effort with the backing of local businesses with boats, cranes and skips provided free by some building companies.

The city council and the Docklands company also provided help for the day.