From the pages of the Down Recorder, August 15, 2001

From the pages of the Down Recorder, August 15, 2001

11 August 2021

CROSSGAR – Crossgar police station is on the brink of closure. The part-time RUC base, located at the Saintfield Road in the village, is one of 25 stations included on a hit list which has been drawn up by the Police Authority.

It has been earmarked for closure as part of a major cost-cutting exercise by the Police Authority which aims to generate savings of several million pounds by selling off the stations.

And while the Authority has promised there will be full public consultation before any final decision is made, local politicians fear the Crossgar base’s future has already been decided.

For the past number of years the Crossgar base has been operating under threat of closure and successive RUC Commanders responsible for the area have consistently made strenuous efforts to keep it open.

They have continually highlighted the key role the base plays in what is one of the fastest growing areas in Down District, but it now appears their attempts, in tandem with intense political pressure, have been in vain.

Police Authority chairman Pat Armstrong said the organisation has repeatedly expressed concerns about the lack of funding made available by the Government for the Police Service and warned that the financial pressure, in tandem with the demand of a smaller service and changing security environment, meant there was no alternative but to review whether all police locations which currently exist need to be maintained.

BALLYNAHINCH – The construction of a multi-million pound by-pass around Ballynahinch could free up land needed for new housing.

Housing Executive chiefs have been asked to study the proposed route of the new relief road linking the Belfast and Newcastle roads on the outskirts of the town to see if pockets of land can be developed to provide new public sector homes.

The appeal has been made by a Ballynahinch area councillor who fears unless the Executive acts quickly, there will soon be no available land in the market town for both public sector and private homes.

Mr Harvey Bicker voiced his concerns during a special briefing session with senior Executive officials last week.

Mr Bicker said that given the number of properties being purchased by tenants, it was important the Executive looks at the land available for new public sector homes and takes appropriate steps to meet the demand.

DOWNPATRICK – One of Downpatrick’s most important archaeological sites is under threat from bikers who are using the area as a race track.

Teenagers on quads and motorbikes are ripping up the land around the historic Mound of Down and a leading figure with the Department of Environment has warned the area will be destroyed if urgent action is not taken.

Mr Nick Brannon, Director of Northern Ireland’s Built Heritage, the body specifically charged with caring for the monument, said gates and locks, which were designed to allow pedestrians to use the site while blocking entrance to bikes, have been broken time and time again.

He said bikers are cutting the place up and are ruining the Mound for people who enjoy walking in the area.

“It is a great shame this is being allowed to happen on a site which is unusual and important,” he said.

Down councillor, Mr Albert Colmer, who has a keen interest in local history, said visitors to the area had contacted him outlining their concerns.

“This is one of the major tourist attractions in our area and I am horrified to learn that bikers have been destroying the area and being a general nuisance. A car was also left burnt out at the site a few weeks ago,” he said. 

KILLOUGH – Killough residents have warned that a tiny coastal road will become a bottle-neck if a new housing development behind their homes goes ahead.

Families from Fisherman’ s Row say the construction of 47 houses beside the village’s West Point and Seaview estates will lead to a dangerous increase in traffic.

They claim the additional traffic volume expected once the houses are finished will have a detrimental impact on their way of life and put their children at risk.

Planning permission has yet to be granted for the development which is proposed for an area locally known as Bleach Green.

A Planning Service spokesperson this week confirmed the go-ahead for the scheme would not be given until a number of road safety issues relating to Fisherman’s Row are considered.

In a series of letters to planners and the Roads Service, the residents have pointed out that Fisherman’s Row which runs parallel to the shoreline, was not constructed to carry a heavy volume of traffic.

SEAFORDE – A local recycling firm has pledged its support for a mammoth recycling challenge.

The UK-wide initiative was launched by the Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation in a bid to encourage people to cash in their aluminium cans and foil and the project is being supported by Seaforde Scrap Metals.

Lots of money can be made through recycling and there is even a chance to win a number of great prizes. Anyone interested in recycling or trying their luck at winning one of the many prizes on offer can cash in their aluminium at Seaforde Scrap Metals where they will be automatically entered into a sizzling summer promotion.

Over £30m would be paid to aluminium can recyclers if all the available aluminium drink cans sold in the UK this year were recycled.

Throughout the summer even more aluminium drink cans are consumed so there is plenty of opportunity to grab a top prize and be paid by Seaforde Scrap Metal.

KILLYLEAGH – Two Housing Executive estates in Killyleagh are in line for a £750,000 improvement scheme.

Work on the project at the public sector homes at Frederick Street and Braeside Gardens is expected to start shortly and take around 15 months to complete.

A total of 38 homes are in line for major improvements which will include new heating systems and the replacement of window frames.

Kitchens and bathrooms are to be replaced and all external and internal doors will be replaced. In addition, the Executive has also confirmed that additional bedrooms will be added to some homes.

New insulation also features heavily in the refurbishment programme which will be carried out as part of a phased operation, with contractors upgrading six homes at a time.

News of the scheme has been welcomed by Rowallane councillor William Dick who has been lobbing Executive officials to carry out much-needed improvement work in both estates.

Mr Dick confirmed this week that a “series of problems and difficulties” which had prevented work on the scheme starting earlier, have now been ironed out.

DRUMANESS – A top soccer club has this week taken the wraps off an exciting £200,000 development project.

Drumaness Mills has unveiled plans to build a new clubhouse overlooking its Meadowvale ground in the heart of the village.

The club hopes work on the project can begin within the next few weeks. When construction work is completed, the distinctive building, which will include two bars, function and committee rooms, a games room and a kitchen, will rival even the best facilities Irish League clubs have to offer.

But the ultra-modern clubhouse will not be for the exclusive use of the progressive Drumaness club which continues to make major inroads into upgrading its facilities, both on and off the park.

All sports clubs in the village are being offered use of the new facility which will also overlook the cricket pitch in Drumaness.

A new training pitch has also been developed and with the ink on the planning application for the new clubhouse still drying, Drumaness officials have revealed they are not finished just yet.