South Antrim Alliance Councillor Brian McConnell has urged the Department of the Environment and the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company to declare their position in relation to Antrim’s Ulster Bar site.
Councillor McConnell, who tabled a series of questions to Environment Minister Lord Dubs at a special Council meeting last Wednesday, said it was necessary for the “relevant parties” to outline their plans for the area.
Mr. McConnell added that the DoE should re-consider the proposed construction of a modern bus station by initiating a development to meet the “commercial and retail” needs of the people of Antrim.
Councillor McConnell said: “We had a good and constructive meeting with Lord Dubs but I want to know where the DoE stands in relation to the development of the old Ulster Bar site.
“It must be developed in such a way as to facilitate the demands of the people of Antrim. And I think the minister should sit down with the DoE and look at the original concept once again.
“Many people may think that the construction of a modern bus station is a good idea. However, equally important is the need for the DoE and Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company to explore other avenues of thought.
“The site is an eye-sore and it’s essential for the development to proceed without any hindrance. We can’t allow this site to fester any longer. The public must be made aware about the current state of play of this site.
04 December 1997
McConnell calls for town centre improvement plan
Delivery vehicles who visit Antrim’s commercial heartland should be restricted to different times of the day, South Antrim Alliance Councillor Brian McConnell has claimed.
Councillor McConnell, who was speaking at an Antrim Borough Council meeting with Environment Minister Lord Dubs last Wednesday, proposed a 10.30am delivery time on all goods vehicles visiting the town centre.
Mr. McConnell welcomed the Environment’s Minister’s views on public transport in Antrim, but said that shoppers were becoming increasingly concerned with the influx of heavy goods vehicles.
Councillor McConnell said: “I think the Minister should use his influence and persuade the Department of the Environment to look closely at the issue of public transport - particularly in relation to Antrim Town centre.
“We have a huge lorries in the town centre every day and more and more motorists are finding it increasingly difficult to gain access to the town - especially the town’s disabled drivers.
“I think the town needs support on this issue from the Minister and I don’t think it’s unrealistic for the DoE to allocate certain time limits for the delivery of retail and commercial goods.
“Overall, I believe this step would be a major boost to Antrim’s town centre and public transport system.”
Councillor McConnell, who was speaking at an Antrim Borough Council meeting with Environment Minister Lord Dubs last Wednesday, proposed a 10.30am delivery time on all goods vehicles visiting the town centre.
Mr. McConnell welcomed the Environment’s Minister’s views on public transport in Antrim, but said that shoppers were becoming increasingly concerned with the influx of heavy goods vehicles.
Councillor McConnell said: “I think the Minister should use his influence and persuade the Department of the Environment to look closely at the issue of public transport - particularly in relation to Antrim Town centre.
“We have a huge lorries in the town centre every day and more and more motorists are finding it increasingly difficult to gain access to the town - especially the town’s disabled drivers.
“I think the town needs support on this issue from the Minister and I don’t think it’s unrealistic for the DoE to allocate certain time limits for the delivery of retail and commercial goods.
“Overall, I believe this step would be a major boost to Antrim’s town centre and public transport system.”
25 November 1997
Alliance criticises Cranborn initiative
Commenting upon the report that the attempt by Lord Cranborn to bring about cross-party Unionist agreement has failed, Alliance Spokesman Dr Philip McGarry has said that the last thing that Northern Ireland needs is either pan-unionism or pan-nationalism.
Dr McGarry said:
“The only way we shall achieve a real and lasting peace is to bring about an agreement that heels the bitter divide in our society. For this to come about moderate Unionists have a duty to come to an accommodation with moderate Nationalists and vice-versa. However, if instead nationalists continue to line up together and Unionists seek further Unionist Unity then all that will be achieved will be a deepening of division.”
Dr McGarry said:
“The only way we shall achieve a real and lasting peace is to bring about an agreement that heels the bitter divide in our society. For this to come about moderate Unionists have a duty to come to an accommodation with moderate Nationalists and vice-versa. However, if instead nationalists continue to line up together and Unionists seek further Unionist Unity then all that will be achieved will be a deepening of division.”
20 November 1997
Airport sell-off 'disgraceful': Ford
Councillor David Ford, Alliance General Secretary, has described the procedures for the privatisation of Belfast International Airport as ‘disgraceful’.
David Ford, who is Councillor for the Aldergrove area, said: “It is clear that the sell-off was carried out in the interests of Conservative dogma, not in the interests of local people. The procedures which cost the public purse £50 million were disgraceful.
“I am also worried about the attitude of the present Government I don’t want to hear Lord Dubs blame the Treasury, rather than the DoE. I want to hear him say that Labour will stop all such sales.
“Lord Dubs is responsible for a huge range of public services including water. Will he give a commitment to stop the policy of selling of such assets?”
David Ford, who is Councillor for the Aldergrove area, said: “It is clear that the sell-off was carried out in the interests of Conservative dogma, not in the interests of local people. The procedures which cost the public purse £50 million were disgraceful.
“I am also worried about the attitude of the present Government I don’t want to hear Lord Dubs blame the Treasury, rather than the DoE. I want to hear him say that Labour will stop all such sales.
“Lord Dubs is responsible for a huge range of public services including water. Will he give a commitment to stop the policy of selling of such assets?”
05 November 1997
Alderdice pays tribute to Spring
Alliance leader, Lord Alderdice, has paid tribute to Dick Spring, who has just announced his resignation as leader of the Irish Labour Party.
Lord Alderdice said, “I have worked with Dick Spring on and off for about ten years now, and find him a man of great ability and energy. I very much enjoyed his wry sense of humour and inevitably found meetings with him interesting, enjoyable and worthwhile. I have the greatest of respect for him and his ability and his loss as Labour leader will undoubtedly be the gain of wherever he chooses to take his future career. I believe that history will judge him not only one of the most influential but also one of the more positive influences in Irish politics in his generation.”
Lord Alderdice said, “I have worked with Dick Spring on and off for about ten years now, and find him a man of great ability and energy. I very much enjoyed his wry sense of humour and inevitably found meetings with him interesting, enjoyable and worthwhile. I have the greatest of respect for him and his ability and his loss as Labour leader will undoubtedly be the gain of wherever he chooses to take his future career. I believe that history will judge him not only one of the most influential but also one of the more positive influences in Irish politics in his generation.”
03 November 1997
O'Connor attack was 'on democracy itself': Neeson
East Antrim Alliance Forum Member, Alderman Sean Neeson, has condemned the weekend attack on the home of SDLP councillor Danny O’Connor.
Mr Neeson says, “Any such attack must be condemned as an attack on democracy itself, which was undoubtedly carried out by mindless thugs. I would appeal to the local community to assist police in ending this type of sectarian attack that has surfaced in the Larne area.”
Mr Neeson says, “Any such attack must be condemned as an attack on democracy itself, which was undoubtedly carried out by mindless thugs. I would appeal to the local community to assist police in ending this type of sectarian attack that has surfaced in the Larne area.”
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