Traffic and health are key issues

Traffic and health are key issues

2 March 2016

A NUMBER of key issues which the new Downpatrick electoral area may wish to focus on were flagged up at last week’s public meeting at the Ballymote Centre.

Ahead of the formation of a new group comprising politicians, representatives from community, voluntary and sporting organisations and members of statutory agencies to devise a new community action plan, it was suggested priorities they may wish to focus on include ensuring the availability of accident and emergency services at the Downe Hospital.

Other suggested priorities include tackling town centre traffic congestion in Downpatrick and assisting farmers to consider diversifying to renewable energy as an alternative to the single farm payment income. 

David Patterson, the newly appointed co-ordinator for the Downpatrick electoral area (DEA), which includes Strangford, Kilclief, Ballyhornan, Ardglass, Killough, Minerstown and Annacloy, said he aims to work in partnership with the community to deal with local issues.

“We have a wonderful tourism product here but it is not marketed effectively to allow the area to reap the benefit. We lack a good rural transport system and still need to address anti-social behaviour issues in a number of Downpatrick estates. More positively, we are keen to encourage civic and community pride in the area,” he continued.

Mr Patterson said work to identify initial issues also suggested the need to improve access to inexpensive forms of exercise through the promotion of walking and cycling paths.

“We need your help with these issues and to identify others and possible solutions in more detail as we go forward. This process is about enabling local people to shape the future of the area. That is the purpose of community planning and the local DEA forum,” he explained.

Mr Patterson said the local authority and its partner agencies will address issues, taking forward plans under key themes of health and wellbeing, economic development, regeneration and tourism, environment and special development, community safety and good relations.

Downpatrick DEA chairman, councillor Colin McGrath, is encouraging people across the area to play a key role in helping shape a new community plan which is about making the area a better place.

“Newry, Mourne and Down Council aims to work with local people to provide them with an opportunity to flag up issues of concern which they want to see included in the community plan. Local communities are being given a voice in the formation of the new plan for the Downpatrick electoral area,” he said.

“The formation of seven electoral areas across the council area marks a dramatic change and provides a range of groups with a voice within the council organisation. More importantly, it provides them with an opportunity to contribute to the community planning process within their respective areas.

“The local authority cannot interact with every single person across the district, that’s why it is so important groups and networks provide the thoughts and views of their respective groups and communities to make sure the community planning process that we have is relevant to everyone.”

He added: “A major part of the work of the forum is going to be to contribute to the council’s community plan which is going to be in existence up to 2030 so we want to be able to help shape that  plan, the key aim of which is making the area a better place.”