Bonfire material spread across a section of the Greenway in East Belfast on March 10th 2017 (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph )

Bonfire material spread across a section of the Greenway in East Belfast on March 10th 2017 (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph )

Bonfire material spread across a section of the Greenway in East Belfast on March 10th 2017 (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph )

Bonfire material spread across a section of the Greenway in East Belfast on March 10th 2017 (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph )

Bonfire material spread across a section of the Greenway in East Belfast on March 10th 2017 (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph )

Bonfire material spread across a section of the Greenway in East Belfast on March 10th 2017 (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph )

Bonfire material spread across a section of the Greenway in East Belfast on March 10th 2017 (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph )

Bonfire material spread across a section of the Greenway in East Belfast on March 10th 2017 (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph )

Bonfire material spread across a section of the Greenway in East Belfast on March 10th 2017 (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph )

Bonfire material spread across a section of the Greenway in East Belfast on March 10th 2017 (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph )

Bonfire building materials have been dumped at the new multi-million pound Connswater Community Greenway.

The Connswater Community Greenway is a £40million investment project in east Belfast creating a 9km linear park through east Belfast in a bid to connect the open and green spaces.

Bonfire building material of wood pallets and tyres have been dumped along the Flora Street walkway section.

Alliance leader and east Belfast MLA Naomi Long branded it a "disgrace".

Burning tyres is not culture — Mike Nesbitt (@mikenesbittni) March 10, 2017

What an utter disgrace. This commercial scale fly tipping needs to be addressed as such. @ConnsGreenway is an asset. @belfastcc needs to act https://t.co/NKLGZBbqBE — Naomi Long MLA (@naomi_long) March 10, 2017

She said on Twitter: "What an utter disgrace. This commercial scale fly tipping needs to be addressed as such. Connswater Greenway is an asset, Belfast City Council needs to act."

Alliance councillor David Armitage called for the bonfire materials to be removed immediately.

He said: "Alliance recognises everyone has the right to celebrate their culture and traditions but it must be done in a safe, legal and respectful manner. Leaving dozens of tyres to be burnt such as this is neither of those and needs addressed by Belfast City Council immediately,” said Councillor Armitage.

“The greenway is a positive celebration of all that is best about East Belfast. We must recognise the area is a shared space which has been a boon to the area. There is clearly a wider issue around bonfires, their safe and legal construction, and communication with the local community on the matter.

“We have worked hard over the past few months with others to provide a new scheme in the area to prevent situations such as this occurring. I would call on those involved to remove these tyres voluntarily to ensure everyone has free enjoyment of the greenway.”

A Belfast City Council spokeswoman said: “The Council is very aware of negative issues associated with bonfires, particularly in relation to illegal dumping and general untidiness. Issues pertaining to bonfires are complex and multi-faceted.

The new multi-million-pound greenway in east Belfast. Today, it looks more orange than green ... pic.twitter.com/5qRdCWd6HY — Mark Simpson (@BBCMarkSimpson) March 10, 2017

"Responsibilities for the management of bonfires and associated issues is not just the responsibility of the Council, and we will continue to work with partners and communities to address the issues and relieve the negative impacts associated with bonfires.”

It comes just days after a new bridge was opened in honour of late Northern Ireland actor James Ellis.

The new bridge is the latest section of the Greenway to be opened linking CS Lewis Square at the Holywood Arches to Mersey Street and Victoria Park.

Belfast Telegraph