Enough is enough say the ‘forgotten village’ residents

Enough is enough say the ‘forgotten village’ residents

29 February 2012 - by DAVID TELFORD

A GROUP of Ballyhornan residents have branded the area where they live as the district’s “forgotten village.”

They are angry that repeated calls to upgrade the Killard Square and Killard Drive areas at the former Ministry of Defence base have been ignored.

Residents say while money has been invested in nearby Bishopscourt, no money has been earmarked for investment in Ballyhornan where the roads at the former MoD base remain in private ownership. As a result, the Roads Service won’t take responsibility for them until they are upgraded to a standard it is happy with.

Mr. Michael Donnan, a spokesman for residents who bought homes at the former base close to Ballyhornan beach, say they have had “enough of being given the brush off.”

He said people who live in the 100 homes at the Killard Square and Killard Drive areas plan to form their own residents’ group in a bid to raise the profile of the area. Mr. Donnan said top of their agenda will be seeking finance to upgrade main roads and the installation of new street lighting.

He continued: “We also want to meet with representatives from Down Council and a number of statutory agencies, including the Roads Service, to see what help and support is available to us.

“Key buzz words in today’s society are ‘health and safety’ yet the roads where we live are not fit for purpose. They are dangerous and people literally take their lives in their hands walking along them when it’s dark.”

Mr. Donnan said an open manhole cover poses a danger to children and animals, while there are just two street lights covering the entire estate.

“Residents realise millions of pounds won’t be thrown at this area overnight. We would wholeheartedly welcome a phased approach with the initial focus on upgrading roads and providing much-needed street lighting.

“We need to get round the table with representatives from a number of agencies to draw up an action plan. We have asked for help in the past and been fobbed off. But we won’t stand for being ignored any longer.”

Mr. Donnan said residents who all pay rates get nothing in return but their bin emptied. He said the roads are so bad the bins have to be left at a collection point as refuse lorries won’t drive in the area.

“In the past, foxes and rats have been spotted close to the area where the bins are left to be emptied and this is a real concern for all of us,” he declared.

“We would suggest that there are very few residents elsewhere in Northern Ireland who have to put up with conditions we have to endure on a daily basis. Is it really too much to ask for better roads and street lighting?”

Mr. Donnan said while the Ballyhornan area and the homes at Killard Drive and Killard Square “offer so much potential,” it’s hard to fathom why no one is willing to help regenerate the area.

He added: “We are tired of people passing the buck when we ask for help, that’s why we have decided to form our own residents’ group. We are also prepared to do all we can, rolling our sleeves up to get stuck in to regenerate this area. But we so much need the help of others.”