Portstewart residents go to Parades Commission

Members of Portstewart Vision the Community Forum meeting in the Town Hall last Monday night voted unanimously to apply for permission to hold a public protest at the junction of Lever Road in Portstewart where scaffolding on the footpath means that pedestrians have to step onto the road to pass it by.

Chairing the meeting, Cliodhna Rae told members that following media coverage of their complaints about the scaffolding she had spoken to DRD Roads Service who said that they were equally frustrated about the delays in the scaffolding coming down.

"We want our footpath back," said Ms Rae.

"Elderly people and children going to both primary schools have to walk out onto the road because of the scaffolding.

"It's the same for people trying to access the doctor's surgery and the dentist.

"We understand the challenges facing the developer regarding propping up the facade but this has gone on now for 18 months and we are now looking at Easter before the scaffolding could be taken down."

It was agreed to try to contact the developer to consult directly with him on when the footpath will be cleared for pedestrians.

However if the Forum cannot speak with the developer, they are to apply to the Parades Commission to hold a protest at Lever Road on Friday, March 19 to coincide with school closing times.