A disagreement in Belfast Council has emerged after Sinn Féin said it was “concerned” at a Green Party plan to asset transfer a section of the Comber Greenway away from Stormont.
Disagreement was aired about a further Green Party proposal for Belfast City Council to take responsibility for gritting the greenway during the winter months.
The Comber Greenway was opened officially in 2008, on the old Comber to Belfast railway line. At present no statutory body has taken responsibility for gritting the path.
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At the council’s recent meeting of its Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, elected representatives agreed to commission a report looking at a potential asset transfer of the Comber Greenway between the Beersbridge Road and Tullycarnet boundary, from the Stormont Department for Infrastructure, “with the aim of bringing the urban path under full council ownership.”
The report will also look at how the council could “engage with the EastSide Partnership, with a view to partnering for the benefit of the Comber Greenway, similar to the successful model in place between the two organisations for the Connswater Community Greenway.” The paper will look at all financial and resource implications for the plan.
The original motion states: “This council notes the significant contribution which the Comber Greenway makes to East Belfast, in terms of active travel, urban biodiversity, and wildlife. The council further notes the strategic importance of having well maintained and connected routes in the city, including gritting during the winter periods, providing residents and commuters with safe alternatives to getting around the city.”
Green Councillor for Ormiston Anthony Flynn, who forwarded the motion, told the committee: “For me the Comber Greenway is the collective jewel of East Belfast. It is incredibly well used by residents in our city, not only in terms of cyclists, walking and walking dogs, but also in terms of active travel initiatives.”
He added: “People in East Belfast will know the issues that come up every single year. I was chatting to residents, one who was trying to walk her dog recently, and she literally stopped at Abbey Road and said 'not a chance', because it was like an ice rink.
“And the problem is every time this is taken up with the Department for Infrastructure, they will simply not do anything about it. They say it is not within their remit to grit public rights of way or public footpaths - which is a difficult situation because they own the damn thing.”
Sinn Féin Councillor for Black Mountain Ciaran Beattie said: “We are happy enough for a report to come back, but we are concerned about the precedent it sets, and concerned about the ramifications. In terms of gritting in the last few days, me and my colleagues have been out gritting streets, as DFI doesn't grit streets out in front of primary schools, care homes, community centres etc.
“So if we are to go out and start gritting this piece of DFI land, what about the rest. And why not? There's no doubt ratepayers will be asking us that question.
“In terms of the asset transfer, again this has huge ramifications. There are many assets in the city that don’t belong to this council, for example the Bog Meadows, a greenway between west and south. To take these projects into our ownership, unless we get a substantial maintenance fee, which I can’t see DFI giving us, could be a huge noose around our neck in terms of our rate setting.” He said gritting the greenway was “a road to nowhere.”
Lights are currently being installed on the Comber Greenway following complaints that it could not be used at night time or winter mornings due to the path being pitch black. The council also agreed to write to Northern Ireland Electricity over current issues affecting the lights switch on.
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