Hill Street Pedestrianisation "Farce" A Test Of Executive Delivery – SDLP

The ongoing delay in pedestrianising Hill Street in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter is a "basic test" of the Executive's ability to deliver, SDLP Opposition Leader Matthew O'Toole has said ahead of an Assembly debate on the issue today (Tuesday).

The Assembly is set to discuss the long-running failure to complete the pedestrianisation of the popular cobbled street, which is a key hub for the city's hospitality sector. Despite a pilot scheme undertaken years ago, Mr O'Toole has criticised the Sinn Féin-led Department for Infrastructure for "numerous, often contradictory statements" regarding the stalled project to close the short street to traffic

Opposition Leader Matthew O’Toole MLA stated: "The delay over pedestrianising Hill Street has become nothing short of Kafkaesque. Endless delays, changing stories from the department, claims of phantom objections, blaming austerity for inaction on a tiny project which costs a fraction of the average ministerial overseas trip."

He added: "All of this absurdity means it is time for the official opposition to force the issue onto the floor of the Assembly. As small as it may be, it is an important issue for our hospitality scene and nighttime economy in Belfast, with the area playing host to some of our most popular and renowned pubs, restaurants and music venues."

Mr O'Toole concluded: "This small measure is a test of Ministers. Do they actually care about delivery, or are they intent to coast along on vague promises while even small projects of negligible cost are ignored and others are blamed."

Man Charged In Connection With Knife Incident In L'Derry

A 28-year-old man has been charged to court by officers investigating a report of a man allegedly filmed brandishing a large knife in the Clon Dara area of L'Derry.

The man faces a number of offences, including possessing an article with a blade or point in a public place and affray.

He is due to appear before Londonderry Magistrates' Court later today, Tuesday 6th May.

As is standard procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.

Alliance demands urgent action on delayed Marine Gardens project in Bangor

Alliance representatives have called for urgent action on the Marine Gardens project in Bangor, following the announcement of yet another delay to the Queen's Parade regeneration scheme. In 2019, Bangor Marine partnered with the Department for Communities and Ards and North Down Borough Council to lead a £50 million regeneration of Queen's Parade. The first phase, Marine Gardens, is a planned 5.25-acre public realm scheme set to feature a nautical-themed playpark, landscaped gardens, kiosks, pavilions, and an event space. A £9.8 million levelling up grant was awarded for the Gardens in January 2023, with work initially expected to commence that autumn.

North Down MLA Connie Egan expressed her frustration: "It's been six years since the development agreement was signed and nearly two and half years since the grant for Marine Gardens was awarded, yet we still haven't seen a spade in the ground."

She added: "Queen's Parade is in a terrible state and the ongoing delays are unacceptable. Local residents and businesses want action, so I have asked the Communities Minister a number of questions to determine when work will begin."

Bangor Central Councillor Chris McCracken outlined the party's proposed way forward: "This disruption and delay cannot continue. The people we represent demand action, and the Alliance Party are calling for a three-point plan."

"First, we are calling on the Council to arrange a special meeting of Bangor's City Action Group within weeks, so that Bangor Marine can make a final presentation to stakeholders and confirm a guaranteed start date," he stated.

"Second, we would ask Council, the Department for Communities and UK Government Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to prepare alternative options for the delivery of the project, should this unfortunately be necessary, including the potential for a new regeneration agency, publicly owned but with commercial freedom, like the successful Laganside Corporation established in 1989."

"Third, by the end of this year we are asking for a commercial marketing plan for the rest of Queen's Parade. The proposed £50m must primarily be raised from the private sector, but no plan is currently in place to secure this investment. This needs to be urgently addressed, with a bespoke marketing initiative dovetailed with other critical developments, such as the relocation of Council offices to Bangor Waterfront, providing a catalyst for wider regeneration."

Ms Egan concluded: "Alliance will continue to represent the people on this issue, both at the Assembly and the Council Chamber. We will be pressing for urgent action and the delivery of our three-point plan."