Portstewart people take to streets over obstruction

PORTSTEWART residents took to the streets on Friday to protest against a blocked footpath on the corner of the Diamond and Lever Road.

Portstewart Community Vision organised the event to highlight what they called the "daily hazard" residents face when trying to negotiate the footpath.

It's understood that the scaffolding was required to support the new development - a proposed hotel - when only the faade of the listed building remained.

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However, when the structure was secure no attempt was made to re-instate the footpath in spite of several approaches to the developer and to DRD Roads Service.

When a number of promised deadlines for the removal of the scaffolding and reinstatement of the footpath had come and gone a demonstration demanding action was held at the Diamond last Friday afternoon.

It was planned to take place from 2.30pm until 3.30pm but such was the enthusiasm that quite a number of protestors ad assembled shortly after 2pm.

By that time the developer had made a start, removing the scaffolding along part of the development and using heavy machinery to break up and remove the one and a half feet of reinforced concrete laid on top of the footpath to support the superstructure.

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Protesters, armed with placards, paraded up and down the opposite footpath. During the duration of the protest pedestrians joined to show support and moved on so the the demonstration never became unmanageable but was always very evident and car drivers waved and blew horns in support as they passed.

Yvonne Hamilton of Portstewart Vision – the Community Forum told the Times: "It is to be hoped that the reinstatement of the footpath continues with no further delay so that the safety hazard for young and elderly is removed.

"Portstewart Vision – the Community Forum will continue to monitor the situation."