South and East Belfast Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Regional Development Minister agrees to assess Lisburn Road suggestions after visit

Published: 16 December, 2009

South Belfast Sinn Féin MLA Alex Maskey and Balmoral Sinn Féin representative Vincent Parker this morning joined Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy and a number of RDR Roads Service officials in meeting with traders from the Lisburn Road area in South Belfast.

Alex Maskey MLA said,

"I found this morning's meeting extremely useful. It gave the traders on the Lisburn Road area a chance to raise a number of their concerns directly with the Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy MP."

Balmoral Sinn Féin's Vincent Parker said,

"Today's meeting arose out of an earlier meeting convened by the NIRTA, on behalf of the Lisburn Road Traders Association last month. At this meeting we suggested that it may be useful for the Traders in the area to meet directly with Conor Murphy and to have an opportunity to put a number of their concerns and ideas to the Minister."

Alex Maskey MLA continued,

"It is currently estimated that there are around 45 empty retail units in the Lisburn Road area as a result of the decrease in trade in the area. This is a serious problem which must be addressed.

He concluded,

"Today's meeting was useful and constructive. I would welcome the fact that the Regional Development MInister Conor Murphy agreed to assess the suggestions which were made to him by the Lisburn Road Traders. The decrease in trade in this area obviously has a knock-on effect in the wider South Belfast community and is an issue which must be addressed. I look forward to continuing to work with Traders and residents in the area on this issue, among others, in the future."

CRÍOCH