Frew welcomes UUP backing for ‘Ladysmith’

Frew was referring to a recent press statement from Swann suggesting that he is prepared to back what Frew termed ‘a DUP initiative’ to have Ladysmith Terrace in Harrvyille fully adopted to bring the road surface up to an acceptable standard.

Mr Frew said: “I have been working on this project for the last number of years and have attended many meetings both in council and in the community with local businesses and community. Before that Alderman Martin Clarke DUP has been trying to progress this issue also and has been working alongside the Harryville partnership for many years.

“Back in the autumn I wrote to the two Ministers involved in this issue, Minister Nelson McCausland and Minister Danny Kennedy, asking that they meet on site with me and the local businesses to try and get a clear path forward.

“Obviously Danny Kennedy DRD minister and UUP colleague of Mr Swann has briefed him on the good work that the DUP are doing and he has decided to come in behind us,” said Cllr Frew.

He added: “It’s great that the two Unionist parties can work together on this issue as I support greater engagement between the two parties”.

The DUP MLA said: “The only way that Road Service will agree to adopt the road is if they block off under the railway bridge for vehicle traffic and install bollards as they maintain that the exit onto Queen Street is simply too dangerous.”

He said there was also an issue of ownership of the road.

“I’m very glad that Mr Swann’s party has finally seen sense and has agreed to back the DUP and the local businesses and community in pushing this forward,” said Mr Frew.

“He is very welcome to attend the site meeting, which I have organised with the two Ministers and in which I will be able to tell them both of new information on this project which I believe will help the case and we would appreciate any pressure he can apply, firstly to his local party in making sure they support it and secondly by supporting the DUP in convincing his own Minister that this is indeed much needed for the local businesses and community.”