Bypass 'will kill Ballykelly'

Many local business proprietors fear that the loss of passing trade will be a crippling blow. They say that rates are already too high, and that the loss of trade caused by the bypass may be a step too far.

One businessman, Gregory McGlinchey, of award winning 'Gregory's Butchers', said he will be closing half the shop next week.

Transport Minister, Conor Murphy announced on Friday the preferred route for the proposed A2 Ballykelly Bypass.

He said: "This project will provide significant benefits in terms of improving safety and journey time reliability on the A2 between Derry and Coleraine, and provide a significant environmental improvement to the village of Ballykelly.

"The preferred route is 4.2km of dual carriageway that passes Ballykelly to the south of the village. A proposed junction at the Loughermore Road will provide access to and from the dual carriageway. This project is part of an overall strategy to improve the Key Transport Corridors across the north."

But many local business people and councillor Leslie Cubitt expressed stark warnings about what the bypass might do to Ballykelly.

Damien Lynch, proprietor of the Spar in Ballykelly said: "The noose is tightening in Ballykelly."

And Gregory McGlinchey said: "All the business people will be put on the street."

Mr McGlinchey said half the shop will be closing next week. His butcher's shop was Northern Ireland Sausage Champion three times and he has represented Northern Ireland six times in best butcher and best products competitions, yet he says he is struggling to stay afloat because of the high rates: "I pay over 10,000 in rates as it is.

"There are no jobs about so it just doesn't make sense. I rely on passing trade, with 800 to 1000 travelling to the caravan parks in Benone. This bypass will kill all that. You can't pull a caravan in, and no-one is going to turn a caravan around just to go into Ballykelly. I am one hundred per cent against the bypass.

"You would think they would take that money and put it into small businesses. Young people simply won't be able to find work, or to start up new businesses. You couldn't start a business because the overheads are just too high."

Damien Lynch of Spar said: "I think the noose is tightening in Ballykelly anyway. A lot of to-let signs have started to pop up. We all are relying on passing trade and the bypass will take that away. Here at Spar, we have our village customers, our loyal local customers, but that isn't enough to tide us over.

"It'll finish us as retailers. If this bypass goes ahead in a few years time it will be a village of shutters. We have already had to cut our hours. We try to cut the hours of everybody, just to keep from people having to lose their jobs. But with the rates the way they are, and now this new bypass, ultimately something will have to give."

Leslie Cubitt said: "The thing about it is, Ballykelly doesn't need a bypass. The army are gone, Seagate is gone, Huco's is gone, Hoist is gone, they are all gone so the traffic through Ballykelly is not that bad now. There are no delays. The only time there is a hold up is when there is an accident.

"It will kill Ballykelly, stone dead. I hope they run out of money before they get started because it is a stupid idea. They are already paying the highest rates in Northern Ireland. Eighty per cent of people are against it, especially the retailers. No one wants it."