12/04/2006
Last security barriers removed from Belfast
The last security barriers in Belfast city centre are to be removed this week, bringing the province one step closer to returning to a state of normality.
The blockades were put in place at the height of the Troubles in a bid to prevent access to traffic to the city centre at night.
The barriers were dismantled on the Grosvenor Road on Tuesday, while others located in the Royal Avenue and North Street areas of the city centre had already been taken down.
Last night, the final barriers outside the bus station in Glengall Street were also removed.
Social Development Minister David Hanson has today welcomed the move saying that it was a sign of Belfast's development and would project an air of confidence into the city.
He said: "It will contribute positively to the economic and social vitality of the city and will help to promote the city as a leading European regional capital and the primary retail, leisure and business destination in Northern Ireland."
The security barriers were removed to coincide with the new initiative to extend the opening hours of city centre shops to 7pm.
(EF/SP)
The blockades were put in place at the height of the Troubles in a bid to prevent access to traffic to the city centre at night.
The barriers were dismantled on the Grosvenor Road on Tuesday, while others located in the Royal Avenue and North Street areas of the city centre had already been taken down.
Last night, the final barriers outside the bus station in Glengall Street were also removed.
Social Development Minister David Hanson has today welcomed the move saying that it was a sign of Belfast's development and would project an air of confidence into the city.
He said: "It will contribute positively to the economic and social vitality of the city and will help to promote the city as a leading European regional capital and the primary retail, leisure and business destination in Northern Ireland."
The security barriers were removed to coincide with the new initiative to extend the opening hours of city centre shops to 7pm.
(EF/SP)
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