First steps to reforming residents’ association

First steps to reforming residents’ association

16 May 2018

MOVES are underway to relaunch the Saul Road Residents’ Association in Downpatrick.

Local men Jim Curran and Dave Archer say they are keen to reform the group given major new housing planned for the area and to ensure current homeowners are properly represented and informed should any issues arise.

Work is underway to set up a bank account for the group so a treasurer can be appointed and a number of former committee members have indicated they are willing to get back on board.

A key first step will be appointing a chairman and secretary, with Jim and Dave keen for people from a number of Saul Road developments to get involved with the organisation which has their interests very much at heart. A relaunch meeting is being planned and help sought with a litter .

Mr Curran said the reformed group needed to follow through on recent enforcement action triggered at the Saul Acre development.

He continued: “The next development behind Ardfern should deliver a section of the new eastern distributor road, a project which is essential for the Saul Road area and the future of Downpatrick.

“Newry, Mourne and Down Council and Transport NI have now agreed that all future developments around the Saul, Strangford, Ballyhornan and Ardglass roads could be levied under new powers aimed at helping meet the cost of the distributor road.”

Mr Curran said additional capacity at Downpatrick’s new sewage treatment works and land already zoned for development suggested that there may be 3,000 new dwellings eventually.

He warned that existing transport infrastructure would not support the level of traffic generated by such development. 

“If we do not lobby to have powers used to help meet the cost of the new road, there will be another 30 years with no bypass or ring-road,” he suggested.

“Newry, Mourne and Down Council must either levy developers towards the cost or have them deliver sections of the new road, which happened with the new development behind Ardfern last year.”

Mr Archer described the presence of 23 ramps along the Saul Road as an “ongoing nuisance,” explaining they were provided a number of years ago in response to an accident. He said that in the view of most local people, the number of ramps was “excessive.”

He declared: “Only a residents’ group has the muscle to force change here and agree where a lesser number of ramps should be situated. The majority of residential areas in Downpatrick have a residents’ group and work together as part of a network within the Downpatrick Community Collective to access funds for summer schemes and festivals across the town.

“There are several opportunities for funding each year and by pooling resources, all residents’ groups get the chance to apply. The Saul Road has been missing out on these opportunities of late.”

Mr Archer said with the district’s new 20-year development plan set to go out to public consultation next month, the Saul Road needed to be represented.

Downpatrick councillor Cadogan Enright has welcomed moves to reform the residents’ group and has offered to help in any way he can. 

He said given the major new developments proposed for the Saul Road, it is essential there is a fully functioning residents’ group in place.

Anyone willing to help with a leaflet drop, attend a forthcoming meeting or join the reformed residents’ group is asked to contact Dave Archer (07703 348068), Jim Curran (07855 207113) or Cllr Enright (07590 462329).