Traders puzzled

A number of traders attended a meeting organised by the Chamber of Trade in the library on Monday night to deal with issues affecting the town.

First on the agenda was a report conducted by the Southern Regional College into the needs of small businesses in the Neighbourhood Renewal Areas of Craigavon.

Many of the traders at the meeting said they had never been contacted about the survey or had heard of the report.

Indeed for many this was the first they had heard of the study.

"The report is totally inaccurate and its findings are a complete injustice," said chairman of the Chamber of Trade, Charles Gardiner.

However, the traders resolved to work with the SRC and look into the possibilities of acquiring funding for courses, rather than go 'toe-to-toe' with the college.

The meeting also looked into possibilities of improving Millennium Way.

A suggestion was made into looking at approaching the Roads Service about putting roundabouts at the junctions. Something that traders objected to at the time of the road's construction.

Others asked why the road was still not completed.

Mr Gardiner responded: "I have a letter from May 1976 saying the road would be completed between Edward Street and the Banbridge Road by August 1981.

"The funding had been approved and set aside but over the years the project has not been completed for some reason or other."

It was also suggested that the reason for the roundabouts not being built - aside from traders' original objections - was because of safety fears with school children in the area.

It was decided the chamber would look into the issues.

The chamber will also examine a number of other issues from the meeting including looking into updating the council database of traders, having a bus depot and taxi rank in the town, new parking restrictions and better signage for road users.

Concluding Mr Gardiner said Lurgan's Chamber of Trade can learn from other towns and progress.

He said: "With one voice and acting together we can make a difference."