Councillors defend city work

Two councillors have defended the Public Realm work currently taking place in the city centre which they say will be ‘substantially’ completed by early 2015.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th Dec 2014, 17:39 BST
Public realm works continue in Lisburn in the run-up to Christmas. US1448-507cd Picture: Cliff DonaldsonPublic realm works continue in Lisburn in the run-up to Christmas. US1448-507cd Picture: Cliff Donaldson
Public realm works continue in Lisburn in the run-up to Christmas. US1448-507cd Picture: Cliff Donaldson

Lisburn City Council’s Economic Development Committee, Alderman Allan Ewart, spoke of the importance of the work which will help the city keep up up with other towns and city centres.

“The council understands the frustration regarding the city centre upgrades works and inconvenience to retailers,” Mr Ewart said.

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“However, this multi-million pound investment illustrates the council’s commitment to sustaining the future of the city centre.

“Given the importance of the city centre as the heart of the social and economic fabric of our city the choice was either to stay the way we were or to invest in revitalisation and upgrade our public realm.

“The project has not been without its difficulties but we either keep up with other town and city centres or go backwards.

“To date throughout the upgrade works period 13 Stakeholder Meetings have taken place in the Lisburn City Centre Management offices.

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“A dedicated Newsletter about the Public Realm scheme is produced and circulated to stakeholders on a regular basis.”

Alderman Jim Dillon, Vice-Chairman of the Economic Development Committee said: “With the exception of the events space area which is being created at the centre of Market Square, works will not continue during the festive shopping season and this has been communicated both directly to local businesses and via the local press. 

“The events area is surrounded by a new hoarding and Christmas themed graphics will be erected on the hoarding this week.”

He said that once completed the investment in the public areas of the city centre will enable Lisburn City Centre to ‘stand proud’ now and in the future as a unique, high quality shopping destination.

For the Christmas period in 2014, it was agreed:

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The contractor will not be working directly outside the threshold of any of the City Centre businesses.

With agreement with the Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum some isolated areas of work will continue along the side of the building but access to the centre will be maintained at all times.

Lighting columns and trees that require to be installed currently, in the planting season, will be placed into position during the night. 

The contractor is working on site from 4am until 9am this week on planting trees.

Related topics:Councillors