Council agrees to begin process of renaming Carrick’s Prince Andrew Way
Members of the public will be invited to have their say on the renaming of Prince Andrew Way in Carrickfergus.
It follows cross-party support for an Alliance motion before Mid and East Antrim Borough Council on Monday night (November 24) seeking the name change in the wake of intense scrutiny over the former’s prince’s links to convicted child sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, as he is now known, has always strongly denied the allegations against him.
In a statement issued after the meeting, Alliance Councillor Lauren Gray said she had secured cross-party support for the motion and council officers will now begin a process to access how to secure a name change that best showcases the Carrickfergus community.
The Carrickfergus councillor added: “This has been an ongoing issue for many in Carrickfergus and it is welcome that we will now be able to begin the process of renaming the street.
“Our town has a long connection with the Royal Family and what has been clear throughout the many conversations taking place, both online and across our community, is that the voices of the people of Carrickfergus must be heard, which is why I’m delighted a mechanism for a public consultation will be included.
“It is also timely that this discussion took place as the 16 days against gender-based violence is about to begin. Our utmost sympathies are with the victims and survivors of any form of abuse.”
Party colleague, Councillor Aaron Skinner said: “This vote tonight started that process with a commitment to rename the street. council officers will now begin the work to map out a clear, transparent process for consultation and name selection in a way that reflects the views of the people of Carrickfergus.”
In a previous statement, the DUP team in Carrickfergus said that a continued association of the town with Prince Andrew, through the naming of Prince Andrew Way, "is no longer appropriate".
Posting on social media, a number of Carrick residents have indicated they would support the street signs named after Andrew being removed. Some have suggested a new name could honour other royal figures, such as the late Queen, or pay tribute to the town’s military links.