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

Regional Development Minister delivering for South Belfast - Maskey

Published: 14 February, 2010

South Belfast Sinn Féin MLA Alex Maskey has welcomed confirmation from Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy MP that he has instructed Roads Service officials to engage with residents in the Lower Malone and Markets areas in order to work towards the implementation of residents parking schemes in the Markets and Lower Malone areas.

Alex Maskey MLA said,

"Parking issues have long been a problem for many communities in South Belfast, with many residents calling for the implementation of residents only parking schemes. Both myself and local residents and communities groups have been in constant contact with the Regional Development Minister, Conor Murphy MP, and his Department with regard to this issue.

"The Minister has constantly reiterated his wish to resolve this issue to the satisfaction of local residents and has dedicated much time to this issue.

"I am particularly glad then that the Minister has responded positively to our representations in relation to the Residents' Parking Scheme proposed for the Markets area of Belfast and on the parking management issues in the Lower Malone area, particularly Beechlands, Cadogan Park and Adelaide Park.

"The work to date that he has done in trying to provide schemes for these areas is to be welcomed and in this latest correspondence he has made it clear that the basis exists for such schemes in the Markets area and the Lower Malone areas to be implemented.

"In relation to the Markets area, the Minister has instructed Roads Service to re-engage with representatives of the area, in order to gauge the likely level of support for proposed residents only parking proposals among residents. Should the response be positive and the community representatives agree to actively promote the benefits of the scheme, Roads Service will re-survey the residents to confirm the level of support, with a view to finalising the details and implementing a scheme. It is therefore essential that local community representatives and groups actively work with the Roads Service to devise a scheme which meets the needs of residents in the Markets area. It is essential that local groups play a full and active role in this.

"In the Lower Malone area, Conor Murphy MP has confirmed that he has also asked Roads Service to engage with residents in a number of streets around Malone Avenue, Eglantine Avenue, Wellington Park and Wellesley Avenue with a view to implementing a Residents' Parking Scheme."

He concluded,

"I would welcome the Ministers commitment to meeting the needs of the people of South Belfast and I look forward to continuing to work closely with the Minister in relation to these areas, and indeed, the rest of South Belfast." CRÍOCH