A new project which would see access to the Black Mountain in West Belfast improved would have "transformation impact" on the community, an MLA has said.
The Access to the Hills scheme aims to reopen pathways providing safer access to the green space which attracts thousands near and far each year.
As it stands, unless travelling by car, safe and appropriate access to the hills is near impossible - a problem the Upper Springfield community has come across for years.
Read more: Belfast councillor outlines vision for Black Mountain
If the proposed plans gain approval, access for families in the area would be made possible through the 'Mountain Loney' at Dermott Hill.
Sinn Féin MLA Aisling Reilly said: "The ‘Access to the Hills’ project will have a transformational impact on the Upper Springfield community for locals and visitors alike.
"Reopening traditional pathways providing safe access onto Black Mountain, allowing visitors and locals to access and explore our hills will have substantial social, community and economic benefits increasing all of our health and well being and connecting people with nature.
"Removing barriers and ensuring access into the hills for the nearby community also takes pressure of Divis Mountain carpark and provides alternative entry points on to the mountain.
"Currently, If you’ve no access to a car, you officially can’t access the hills. This groundbreaking initiative will change that and ensure that local people can access the hills that for generations have provided the splendid backdrop to our city."
Michael Donnelly, Sinn Féin councillor in the area, has been engaging with residents since the launch of the project in November 2020.
At the launch, Cllr Donnelly told Belfast Live that in an area which suffers from the "worst health inequalities in the North", opening up the space "won't only improve people's physical health, but their mental health too".
This week, as concept designs were launched for public consultation, he said: "We began this project back in 2020 when Upper Springfield Development Trust obtained funding from Belfast City Council to carry out a feasibility study around creating an access point into the hills from Upper Springfield.
"Since then, Sinn Féin brought a motion to full council gaining full support to look at unlocking the potential of our hills from a number of new access points; including here in the heart of the Upper Springfield.
"Currently Belfast City Council has ‘Access to the Hills’ on their capital project list with council recently appointing a design team to establish costs that will help make this vision a reality."
The concept designs will be on display for public consultation on the following dates:
- March 7 at 10am - 12 noon in the Upper Springfield Development Trust;
- March 8 at 11am - 2pm in the Newhill Youth and Community Centre.
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