The opening of a security gate at Flax Street in North Belfast is a “significant day” for a community that was “hemmed in” by the barrier.
Elaine Burns, Centre Manager at the Ardoyne Association, welcomed the opening of the heavy-duty gate which had “closed the community in” for around 36 years.
The gate was closed in the 1980s, but calls to re-open it have been voiced for a number of years. There has, however, been some opposition to the plan, fuelled largely by concerns about interface linked disorder. The DUP on Wednesday expressed ‘alarm’ at the news, while Sinn Fein said they are ‘delighted’.
Read more: Scale of drugs problem contributes to existence of paramilitary groups, MPs told
The security barrier has been replaced by a gate which allows people to see through it even when closed. Similar measures have been introduced at other sites in Belfast. The Department of Justice says the “new automated security gates” will be “covered by CCTV and operated remotely by the PSNI”.
Initially the Flax Street gates will open from 6.30am - 6.30pm, but following a six week ‘bedding in’ period, the opening times will be extended to 9.30pm to “align with the closing times of shops at the nearby Hillview Retail Park”, DoJ says.
A DoJ Spokesperson added: “With the re-opening of Flax Street we were keen to dovetail the new arrangements with completion of nearby building work at Brookfield Mill. Residents of the new townhouses and apartments developed as part of this major regeneration scheme are expected to begin moving in to their new homes in the coming weeks.
“With the redevelopment of the adjacent Hillview Retail Park over the past year and a half, the area has undergone a major physical transformation; it is hoped that the re-opening of Flax Street will contribute to these wider improvements for the local community.”
Elaine Burns told Belfast Live the development will have a significant positive affect on local people’s lives.
She added: “It’s simple things like the fact people living down in this part of Ardoyne couldn’t get off the bus opposite Flax Street. They had to go on up the road then walk back down through Ardoyne to get home. We have schools, playgroups, nurseries, a GAA club and so many new developments all hemmed in by this gate. The traffic is mayhem as people down here have to go up Brompton Park.
“Also, we have the issue of emergency services getting access, especially to older people. This gate has been adding time on to how quickly an ambulance can arrive for all these years. The gate was only closed in the late 80s and it’s a shame it’s taken until 25 years after the Good Friday Agreement to get it opened again. But it’s open now and it’s going to help transform this area.”
Reacting to the news, Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly said: “I am delighted that Flax Street is now open to traffic and for pedestrians for the first time in almost 30 years. This will reconnect the people of Ardoyne with the city centre via the Crumlin Road and make local shops moire accessible.
“This will also ease serious problems with congestion in the area, particularly near the boys, school, the community centre and two local social clubs and a shopping centre.
“I pay tribute to all those who have worked on a cross community basis to take this step forward and hope that this will contribute to the regeneration of the Crumlin Road.”
North Belfast DUP MLA Brian Kingston said there was ‘alarm’ at the news.
He said: “It has always been the position of DUP representatives in North and West Belfast that changes to any interface structure should only take place with the consent of residents living on both sides of the interface who are the people who will suffer any negative consequences of the changes.
“Whilst the Department for Justice previously consulted with Woodvale residents regarding a gate at Columbia Street, on the Woodvale side of Crumlin Road, this consultation included only a passing reference to Flax Street. Those Woodvale residents who did express an opinion on potential changes to Flax Street expressed their opposition to the opening of this structure and concern for an increase in interface tensions and attacks on their homes.
“We are alarmed that the Department for Justice has made this significant change in the absence of meaningful and direct consultation with the Woodvale community and without their consent. The onus remains on the Department and the PSNI to provide adequate supervision to reassure residents and a rapid response to any adverse incident resulting from the opening of this interface structure.”
READ NEXT:
Flax Street gate plan being consulted on amid claims some residents kept "in dark"
DUP MP Ian Paisley's bid for 'super-majority' in future referendums dismissed as 'stunt'
Ardoyne community worker on why local GP surgery needs to stay
- DUP leader's claim that Brexit Protocol 'delayed heart surgery' dismissed by Belfast Trust
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here.
