Ballynahinch By-Pass En Route From Minister

BALLYNAHINCH town received a welcome visit from Minister of Regional Development, Danny Kennedy recently, writes Anne O'Hare.

The Minister was accompanied by MLA Mike Nesbitt and together they met with Ballynahinch councillors, council officials and members of the Ballynahinch Chamber of Commerce. The main objective of the visit was to discuss traffic issues in Ballynahinch and the forthcoming Public Realm Improvement Scheme which, it is to begin later this year.

The Minister listened to the concerns of councillors and chamber members concerning traffic congestion in the town and parking related issues. Both councillors and chamber members emphasised Ballynahinch’s position as the ‘Gateway to the Mournes’ and stressed the need for a by-pass to alleviate the current problems.

The Minister also heard about proposals for the Ballynahinch Public Realm Scheme and promised to investigate whether DRD Roads Service would be in a position to contribute to the overall regeneration scheme. On behalf of the Councillors, Councillor Anne McAleenan thanked the Minister for visiting Ballynahinch and taking the time to see, at first hand, the traffic issues in the town. Mark Murnin expressed appreciation to the Minister on behalf of the chamber.

Meanwhile, Ballynahinch Sinn Féin Councillor, Mickey Coogan, welcomed the political agreement emerging from Stormont on the issue of the town’s long awaited by-pass. He said: "Ballynahinch has waited long enough for a by-pass and over the years people have become frustrated at the lack of progress. Under the previous Minister Conor Murphy, we received assurances the only outstanding issue was finance as the case for a bypass had been well made and accepted.”

“That being the case, I am hopeful the current Minister will make the necessary funds available and outline a timetable for the schemes commencement."

“Whilst acknowledging Ballynahinch needs a bypass for the benefit of people who live and do business in the town and for those people who face traffic chaos every morning and evening as they travel through the town” Councillor Coogan added: “It is important to recognise the changes that will occur when Ballynahinch gets a by-pass, and with this in mind traders and businesses in the town are equipped to meet that change and as a town, begin to market ourselves as an essential destination.”

Furthermore, SDLP Councillor Anne McAleenan, Chair of the Ballynahinch Public Realm Working Party, said: "We had a good meeting with Minister Kennedy and he explained the Environmental Impact Assessment will begin shortly and the line of the new road will be announced and a further consultation will take place after an impact study is conducted.

"Depending on the response to the consultation, there may be a Public Inquiry. The Minister said £60 million had been budgeted for the work to start in 2014. He hoped we will be ready then to be in a position to bid for the funding after the preparatory work.

"The Minister was very supportive and we urged him to ensure no time is wasted in finalising this process. But a lot depends on the Public Inquiry. We also are progressing with the Public Realm improvements to Ballynahinch and Minister Kennedy said he would talk to the DRD and try and move things forward. We have consultants at the moment drawing up the design."