Allister welcomes Kilkeel improvement scheme, but urges closer consultation with traders
26 March 2009
Jim Allister MEP has welcomed a £1.5 million Public Realm Improvement Scheme for Kilkeel, which will see improvement works carried out in Newry Street, Newcastle Street, Bridge Street and Greencastle Street. However, he is aware of some concerns among traders of potential disruption and lost revenue as the works are carried out.
The Traditional Unionist Voice MEP said,
“While these improvement works will hopefully go some way in encouraging more people into Kilkeel, I do recognise that traders will have concerns of their own about possible disruption to their businesses as the works progress. I welcome the fact that these works will hopefully be carried out during the Autumn period, which will avoid disruption during the busiest trading months of Summer and in the run up to Christmas.”
“Lessons of similar town improvement schemes –such as nearby Newcastle -must be learned from the outset, in order to deliver maximum benefit with minimum disruption to the livelihoods of traders in what is already a very difficult time for many. Therefore, I have written to Newry and Mourne Council, urging the Council to communicate with local traders about the proposed scheme, and to listen to the concerns that traders do have.”
ENDS
