Gales caused havoc on shopping streets

Saturday’s gale force winds wreaked havoc on festive fixtures in Ballymena town centre including Christmas lighting which brought traffic to a standstill for a time in the morning.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th Dec 2013, 10:44 BST
Mayor of Ballymena, Cllr. Audrey Wales, who officially opened the Ballymena Christmas Market, is pictured along with Anne Simpson, Grace Gillen, Terry Robb, Thomas McKillen (Chairman Chamber of Commerce) and Ald. Martin Clarke. INBT51-230ACMayor of Ballymena, Cllr. Audrey Wales, who officially opened the Ballymena Christmas Market, is pictured along with Anne Simpson, Grace Gillen, Terry Robb, Thomas McKillen (Chairman Chamber of Commerce) and Ald. Martin Clarke. INBT51-230AC
Mayor of Ballymena, Cllr. Audrey Wales, who officially opened the Ballymena Christmas Market, is pictured along with Anne Simpson, Grace Gillen, Terry Robb, Thomas McKillen (Chairman Chamber of Commerce) and Ald. Martin Clarke. INBT51-230AC

Yesterday (Monday), Ballymena Borough Council confirmed that the extreme high winds blew down part of the Christmas lights display at the top of Church Street.

A spokesperson for the local authority said: “Traffic was temporarily redirected until council employees moved the fallen display from the road. The health and safety of citizens is Council’s priority and all of the town’s Christmas lights displays were checked immediately to ensure no other fixtures had been damaged by the winds.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The same adverse weather required the Christmas Food and Craft Market at Wellington Court – organised by Ballymena Town Centre Development Ltd – to be closed early for health and safety reasons,” the spokesperson sai.

“This was unfortunate as the market had been very popular with shoppers on Friday and Saturday morning. It is hoped the market will return for Ballymena’s Christmas festivities next year.”

Related topics:BallymenaCouncilTraffic