Plan for Market Square is ‘ludicrous’
Market Square in Antrim has been used for a number of public occasions.
COUNCILLORS have agreed to try and put the breaks on a plan by Roads Service to have a turning circle for articulated lorries at Market Square.
At last week’s monthly meeting of Antrim Council, the DUP’s Trevor Clarke raised the issue that new traffic plans by Roads Service would result in a large turning circle at Market Square.
This would mean that the civic space could be reduced to accommodate the turning circle.
Cllr. Clarke said he was against Roads Service’s proposals, and added: “I raised this at the Development and Leisure meeting, I am proposing that we do not accept it, I think it is a ludicrous decision to suggest the lorries would come in there and do a reversing manoeuvre.
“In terms of road safety, Roads Service are suggesting that an articulated lorry do this reverse manoeuvre in front of a bus coming in the other direction. They should be coming on the same route as the bus route.”
Councillor Paul Michael told members that this public space is very important for the town, and through his involvement with the Antrim branch of the Royal British Legion, said there would be opposition to the plan.
“The Royal British Legion would be totally opposed to this plan, and any parking bay in that area for articulated lorries,” Cllr. Michael said.
He added: “The Market Square Memorial is an important part of the town and in recent years the large crowds who attend for Armistice Day have been too much for the space that is there.
“They have had to use the Antrim Forum to accommodate the crowd and these plans would mean cutting the Memorial Square in half.
“Roads Service have brought something before us that is not fit for use or functional for the town.”
Members heard from Alliance Councillor Neil Kelly who explained that the Town Development Company are completely against the proposals.
Councillor Adrian Watson also warned that a “large chunk” of public space is going to be lost and “this would have a negative effect on the area”.
The newly appointed Mayor of Antrim, Councillor Roy Thompson told fellow councillors he was in agreement with their comments.
It was then put to the meeting by Cllr. Clarke that the council formally object to the application.
“This is a live application and I ask that we object to what is being proposed today,” he added.
Councillor Kelly seconded the motion which was agreed by the chamber.
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Weather for Antrim
Friday 24 May 2013
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