Traders united in response to contractors

Town centre traders have called for proposed major public realm works at Broadway to be postponed until the New Year.
A photomontage of what the Public Realm Scheme has in store for the Bandstand area at Broadway, (Submitted image).A photomontage of what the Public Realm Scheme has in store for the Bandstand area at Broadway, (Submitted image).
A photomontage of what the Public Realm Scheme has in store for the Bandstand area at Broadway, (Submitted image).

The call came at a consultation meeting last week when traders met with representatives of TAL, the contractor responsible for the Ballymena Realm work.

The creation of a public space at Broadway, including the replacement of the existing bandstand is one of the main features of the scheme. It is understood options for completion of the works were outlined at the meeting - including one proposal which would have involved working on the site during the vital pre-Christmas shopping period. This was vehemently opposed by traders.

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One member of the business community told The Times that traders had united behind a proposal calling for work on the four core streets to be completed by the end of October and that work at the Broadway bandstand be postponed until January, 2017.

The businessman said he understood that the points raised at the meeting were due to be considered by members of Mid & East Antrim Council which is jointly funding the £4.2m Scheme with DSD.

He went on to thank shoppers stating: “We want to thank the public for their ongoing support despite all the the disruption. “That support is vital to maintaining trade within our town centre.”

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