In widening the A2 Sydenham Bypass from a dual 2-lane carriageway to a 3 lane carriageway involves limited land take from Victoria Park we are concerned that trees that stand on this land will be lost, the Residents Association feels that if the trees are removed from the park it will change the whole concept of the park leaving it unprotected from any new In widening the A2 Sydenham Bypass from a dual 2-lane carriageway to a 3 lane carriageway involves limited land take from motorway lane that is built. Victoria Park was first suggested by the Harbour Commissioner in 1854 and the Park was opened to the public in 1906 due to its rich variety of wildlife, the open water in Victoria Park is part of the Belfast Lough and is an area of special scientific Interest. Today Victoria Park is home to a range of water birds such as swans, geese, ducks, herons, and migrant waders,the main features to the park is the lake and its two islands which are home to some of the wildlife that live in the park. The park is ideal for walking and covers approximate 1mile to walk round its river with the tree planting that has taken place over the years, it has many pleasant tree lined walks which also give shelter for many small birds.
Victoria Park also sits beside Harland and Wolff and the Shorts Aircraft Building where you can get some great photo shots of the Harland and Wolff cranes Samson and Goliath. The park also has two bowling greens and pavilion one of which is under threat if the A2 widening takes place it also has Football Playing Fields, car parking,cycle/bmx tracks,flower beds,model boat lake, rose beds, tennis pitch, children's play area and band stand,we have watched this great park fall into decline over the past few years we have seen one of its great islands being washed away without being rebuilt and protected. We have seen our children's play area fall into decline and the lakes becoming overgrown by weeds and grass.
The residents association fears further for the park if the decline is not stopped we need to see the entrance to the park made safer, the underpass between Sydenham and Victoria Park cleaned up and made safe by installing new lights and the gates to the park moved to the entrance of the underpass and gates erected on the slipways from the Sydenham Bypass. The under pass also needs a footpath for pedestrians, wheelchair users and young mothers. The Residents Association has been fighting for a year now to have the toilet block opened up again after it was closed 9 years ago, the need for toilets in the park is great and the need for disabled toilets is of even greater importance. The Residents Association feels that the Belfast City Council are missing a great opportunity in the park by not leasing out space to a coffee kiosk and newspaper kiosk to raise funds for the park it could also be used to hold outdoor events as it has rail links, airport links, road links,and is also sitting by The Connswater Community Greenway Project.
In widening the A2 Sydenham Bypass from a dual 2-lane carriageway to a 3 lane carriageway involves limited land take from Victoria Park we are concerned that trees that stand on this land will be lost, the Residents Association feels that if the trees are removed from the park it will change the whole concept of the park leaving it unprotected from any new motorway lane that is built. Victoria Park was first suggested by the Harbour Commissioner in 1854 and the Park was opened to the public in 1906 due to its rich variety of wildlife, the open water in Victoria Park is part of the Belfast Lough and is an area of special scientific Interest. Today Victoria Park is home to a range of water birds such as swans, geese, ducks, herons, and migrant waders,the main features to the park is the lake and its two islands which are home to some of the wildlife that live in the park. The park is ideal for walking and covers approximate 1mile to walk round its river with the tree planting that has taken place over the years, it has many pleasant tree lined walks which also give shelter for many small birds.
Victoria Park also sits beside Harland and Wolff and the Shorts Aircraft Building where you can get some great photo shots of the Harland and Wolff cranes Samson and Goliath. The park also has two bowling greens and pavilion one of which is under threat if the A2 widening takes place it also has Football Playing Fields, car parking,cycle/bmx tracks,flower beds,model boat lake, rose beds, tennis pitch, children's play area and band stand,we have watched this great park fall into decline over the past few years we have seen one of its great islands being washed away without being rebuilt and protected. We have seen our children's play area fall into decline and the lakes becoming overgrown by weeds and grass.
The residents association fears further for the park if the decline is not stopped we need to see the entrance to the park made safer, the underpass between Sydenham and Victoria Park cleaned up and made safe by installing new lights and the gates to the park moved to the entrance of the underpass and gates erected on the slipways from the Sydenham Bypass. The under pass also needs a footpath for pedestrians, wheelchair users and young mothers. The Residents Association has been fighting for a year now to have the toilet block opened up again after it was closed 9 years ago, the need for toilets in the park is great and the need for disabled toilets is of even greater importance. The Residents Association feels that the Belfast City Council are missing a great opportunity in the park by not leasing out space to a coffee kiosk and newspaper kiosk to raise funds for the park it could also be used to hold outdoor events as it has rail links, airport links, road links,and is also sitting by The Connswater Community Greenway Project.
The Residents Association has also ask Translink to look at the reinstatement of Victoria Halt on the Bangor Track as this would enable passengers from all over Northern Ireland to use Victoria Park and the Greenway Project. The Residents Association feels Victoria Park could be and should be as good as central park in New York it is an asset that Belfast needs to go along side the Titanic Quarter also creating jobs for East Belfast the Residents Association ask all our residents to lobby your councillors and MLA's to put more funding into regenerating this great asset and stop its decline as the only danger victoria park faces is Vision and Funding
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment