THROUGH THE ARCHIVES: Objections to proposed new roadway raised in council meeting

The deputation had consisted of Messrs A Wedderburn, W J Fullerton and W Porter. It was reported that the County Surveyor had informed the committee that from an engineering point of view the layout appeared to be the only satisfactory solution when taken into account with the difficulties to be surmounted in spanning the Great Northern Railway and the Lisburn Road

On this day in 1947 the News Letter reported that the Finance and Law Committee of Antrim County Council, which had met the previous day, had heard a deputation from Lisburn Rural District in support of a resolution from the rural council protesting to the Ministry of Commerce against a proposed new arterial road in view of the expense and the loss of rateable valuation of the rural district.

It was noted that the road was to pass through Finaghy, cross the main Lisburn road and on through Dunmurry.

The deputation had consisted of Messrs A Wedderburn, W J Fullerton and W Porter. It was reported that the County Surveyor had informed the committee that from an engineering point of view the layout appeared to be “the only satisfactory solution” when taken into account with the difficulties to be surmounted in spanning the Great Northern Railway and the Lisburn Road.

The committee stated: “The Planning Officer objects to the line of the road which, he asserts, is a possible hindrance to building development between Finaghy and Dumurry, where the new motorway is to be bridged over the existing Lisburn Road, necessitating the sterilisation of considerable ground on either side to effect the necessary approaches.”

The committee continued: “The Planning Officer further points out that the first consequence of the construction of the roadway would be a substantial drop of rateable values in the areas necessitating the zoning of adjacent lands in the council’s planning scheme for purposes at variance with the type of development best suited to their natural setting.”

The committee concluded: “Apart from these observations, the committee can see no serious objection to the proposed roadway, the future control and upkeep of which will, in all probability, be retained by the ministry.”

Mr Wedderburn told the committee that in his opinion that the scheme would spoil the amenities of the rural district and “upset the plans for development”.

The deputation asked that the engineers investigate an alternative road following a route to the west of the road proposed.

Mrs Beattie said that she had no objection to a road through the area but that she would rather see the money spent on houses.