Market Square board removal raises a cheer

As the hoarding was removed a cheer went up from local taxi drivers who had complained that it had been obstructing the taxi rank from the view of pedestrians.

The hoarding was initially erected while some building works were taking place to the front of the building in Market Square.

Local MLA Edwin Poots, Minister for the Environment, explained: "For whatever reason this short term hoarding remained much longer that it should have done.

"Statutory bodies have been working over the past months to have it removed, freeing up the pavement for pedestrians."

He said: "Lisburn City Centre Management have been lobbying for the removal of this unsightly and obstructive hoarding for some time now. We welcome its removal and hope that the premises can soon be brought back into commercial use."

Alderman Ivan Davis commented on the removal of the hoarding saying that it will make a great difference to pedestrians. He said: "What a difference it makes for pedestrians and especially wheelchair users to see at long last the hoarding at Market Square removed.

"Having raised the question as to why this hoarding should be in place for at least two years blocking the footpath I am delighted that at long last it has been removed."

Councillor Allan Ewart, Chairman of Lisburn City Centre Management also said he was delighted that the hoarding has been removed.

Mr Davis continued: "I trust lessons will be learned from this dilemma and I am grateful for the assistance and co-operation from Councillor Ewart and Lisburn City Centre Management."

While Mr Davis welcomed the obstruction to the pavement being removed he said he said he was unhappy with the reply from Roads Service regarding a request for the pavements in Market Square to be improved.

He said: "Going by the number of complaints I have received I can only assume that Road Service are insisting that the defects don't meet their criteria for repair.

"I sincerely hope they are not proved wrong as a result of anyone being injured."

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Robert White, City Centre Ranger, Edwin Poots, Minister for the Environment, Alderman Ivan Davis and Cllr Allan Ewart, Chairman Lisburn City Centre Management at the now unobstructed pavement in Market Square.