Limited path closure for Show agreed

A REQUEST to Ballymena Council from the County Antrim Agricultural Association to temporarily close the public path leading from Fisherwick Gardens through to the Slemish Drive car park at the Showgrounds to facilitate their annual Show in May has been agreed at Committee level.
By The Newsroom
Published 24th Apr 2013, 11:19 BST

Council has made a temporary closure order for the path at the Association’s request for the past six or seven years to facilitate the separation of livestock from the general public, the management of livestock and the health & safety of path users.

When the latest request came before last Monday night’s meeting of the local authority’s Community Planning and Wellbeing Committee, it was pointed out by Assistant Director of Development Leisure & Cultural Services, Bernie Candlish, that Slemish Drive car park is used by competitors with horse boxes and separation of horses and public is essential.

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They were also told that a district council must take into account the interests of users of the path and the County Antrim Agricultural Association has concerns over the safety of users if the path was to remain open.

Cllr Declan O’Loan, however, queried the lengthy duration of the requested closure which was from 8pm on Thursday, May 23, until 10pm on Saturday, May 25, and if it could possibly be reduced.

Mr O’Loan contacted this newspaper later last week to reveal that the Show organisers had agreed to reduce the timespan, resulting in closure of the path from 7am on the Friday to 10pm on the Saturday.

“I welcome the change which will lessen the interruption to residents who use the path,” he said.

Related topics:Council