By Ryan Sands
Progress on the installation of new automated barriers and lighting infrastructure at Newcastle’s Donard Park has been made. On Thursday, the council’s Strategy, Policy and Resources Committee agreed to appoint contractors to carry out this work in line with local authority procurement policies.
The decision, made in closed session after a proposal by Michael Rice (Sinn Féin, Mournes) was seconded by Tierna Howie (Alliance, Rowallane), will now go before Monday’s full council meeting for rubberstamping.
In October, a multi-agency meeting on longstanding issues at Donard Park – particularly around cars gathering there – agreed on various measures, including the potential installation of controlled barriers for use during the night. Residents and businesses were subsequently consulted on proposals, which included the installation of automated barriers at the park’s northern access and overflow car park, as well as improved lighting in the overflow car park.
Jill Truesdale (Alliance, Mournes) said that last week’s committee endorsement of the plans was much welcomed. “I am delighted this is finally through, as it is an issue I have campaigned hard on since the day of my election as a Mourne councillor,” she stated. “For years, the problem had been growing steadily worse, and, for years, the owners of the car park, the council, were not stepping up to their responsibilities.”
“This will not solve the problem of inconsiderate and selfish drivers using the park like their own personal playground, but it will go a long way to reduce anxiety levels of the residents around the park and over into Tullybrannigan. Council have engaged with residents and businesses in the area, and I would hope to see the swift removal of the dragon’s teeth blocking the entrance to the overflow. Their placement was not one taken by all councillors.”
The local representative added that original plans for the overflow car park included “lights and bins, which should have been built at the time,” though funding for this had to be “redirected to mitigate other factors within the park that had not been accounted for.”
“Given the new pitches and the amount of investment in the area, it is ludicrous not to have lights from a health and safety perspective,” she said. “Their absence has allowed a lot of antisocial behaviour to flourish in dark spots within the overflow; however, we are moving forward, and I welcome the approval of expenditure.”
Cllr Truesdale concluded that she will “continue to encourage council to look at all their car parks to prevent antisocial vehicular driving” in places such as Kilkeel and Annalong’s Marine Park.
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