Meeting held over Lisburn roads

Pictured l-r (back row) Mr Kevin McShane, Strategic Investment Board; Mr Kevin Monaghan, Transport NI Eastern Division; Mr Colin McClintock, Former Director Development and Planning and Mr Paul McCormick, Lead Head of Service, Economic Development.
L-r (front row) Dr Theresa Donaldson Chief Executive, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council; Minister for Regional Development, Michelle McIlveen; Alderman Jim Dillon MBE Vice-Chairman, Development Committee; Councillor Uel Mackin, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council. — Pictured l-r (back row) Mr Kevin McShane, Strategic Investment Board; Mr Kevin Monaghan, Transport NI Eastern Division; Mr Colin McClintock, Former Director Development and Planning and Mr Paul McCormick, Lead Head of Service, Economic Development. L-r (front row) Dr Theresa Donaldson Chief Executive, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council; Minister for Regional Development, Michelle McIlveen; Alderman Jim Dillon MBE Vice-Chairman, Development Committee; Councillor Uel Mackin, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council.

The meeting was hosted at the Minister’s Offices with the council delegation requesting support for, and setting out the significance, of a long-awaited Link Road to run from the M1 to Knockmore, West Lisburn.

The M1/Knockmore Link Road is a missing link in the road network around Lisburn and the council is looking to future growth in the city in line with its Planning powers.

It is of the view the new road would provide major development opportunities and new jobs for new commercial and residential areas in West Lisburn.

The West Lisburn Development Framework sets out the overarching development direction for the West Lisburn area and includes lands at Maze Long Kesh, Blaris, Knockmore, Lissue and Sprucefield.

The council’s delegation discussed the problems of heavy traffic at present, opportunities for industrial growth and new inward investment projects.

They also discussed opportunities for improved traffic management, as outlined in the West Lisburn Area Framework.

The council delegation included the Vice-Chairmen from the Council’s Development Committee, Alderman Jim Dillon MBE, Councillor Uel Mackin and the council’s Chief Executive, Dr Theresa Donaldson. Alderman Jim Dillon, Vice-Chairman of the Development Committee, said: “We welcome the meeting and we would like to thank the Minister for her warm welcome.

“The new road is critical to regeneration of the West Lisburn area, which is full of potential and there is a real need for the opportunities to be progressed.

“Our independent economic forecasts suggest that within four years the Blaris, Knockmore and Maze Long Kesh plan zonings will create or sustain upwards of 4,000 jobs involving 101 acres of development land.

“Therefore this new road is critical to economic progress.”

Councillor Uel Mackin said: “The Council wishes to shape its new area to include investment need and suitability and to look to the future growth of the council area.”