SF duo voice tourism hopes

Mr O’Dowd said, “These are useful meetings which serve to keep both sides informed. We discussed possible economic development opportunities for the area, ranging from the provision of a viable bus station in Banbridge town, to the potential for further development of the tourism infrastructure, particularly in the rural parts of the council area.”

As a result of the meeting, Mr O’Dowd said he now intended to raise a number of questions with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Industry Minister, Arlene Foster, regarding the role of Invest NI and the Tourist Board in the Banbridge District Council area.

Mr O’Dowd and Mr McGibbon also raised a number of issues which they said were consistently brought to their attention by constituents, including the provision of playground facilities in Laurencetown, Gilford and the Edenderry area of Banbridge.

Also present at the meeting was the council’s community relations officer and the topic of community relations was also discussed.

“We took advantage of this opportunity to explore a number of options for greater dialogue and understanding, especially in the run-up to the summer season and this is one of the issues which we will be returning to in future meetings,” added Mr O’Dowd.