By Conor Sharkey
WHILE local householders have been ordered to bin their smoke fuels or face the wrath of Strabane Council, it appears bonfire organisers will get off scot-free this year.
Since the introduction of Smoke Control Areas across the district earlier this year, it has been illegal to burn fuels such as coal or turf in the home. The move was introduced by the council's Environmental Health department in a bid to tackle Strabane's poor air quality.
Chief Environmental Health Officer Paddy Cosgrove told the public that anyone caught burning smoke fuels after April this year would be subjected to hefty financial penalties. However, with only days to go before Halloween, it appears the same rule will not apply to anyone caught lighting a traditional bonfire.
Mr Cosgrove explained: "We would be very much against bonfires and would urge people to find an alternative form of entertainment. We would encourage anyone considering a bonfire to come and speak to us because not only are they harmful to the environment, but the people who live in the vicinity of the fires generally dislike them," he said.
Commenting on why no penalty will be imposed on those organising the bonfires, Mr Cosgrove added: "Legal action is not the way forward because it is almost impossible to find out who is actually behind the bonfires. What we are doing is encouraging people to desist.
"Action may be taken against the people who supply the young people with the tyres for the fire however.
"This is because when you go to change the tyres on you car, you pay a fee to ensure they are disposed of properly.
"If the tyre firm companies are simply letting the young people take them for the bonfire, then they are basically engaging in a form of illegal dumping. If that is the case then they will be referred to the Environmental Health Service and the relevant action will be taken," he explained.
Meanwhile, as Strabane gladly lets go of its much maligned crown of being one of the worst places in the UK to live, Mr Cosgrove said this is partly down to improved air quality.
"The Location, Location, Location top 20 worst places is based on several categories. One of these is lifestyle and since the introduction of Smoke Control Areas, our air quality has improved. It is a fact that this has contributed to our leaving the top 20 worst places to live in the UK," he said.
