McKinty welcomes Larne Christmas bonus

Cllr Mark McKinty has welcomed a special Christmas parking rate of £1 for five hours is to be introduced in Larne next week.

Larne is one of twenty-five towns across Northern Ireland which are set to benefit from the special parking rate over the festive period.

Speaking following the announcement, Cllr McKinty said: "Over the past number of years retailers have particularly suffered from the current economic situation in addition to increased use of online shopping. The festive season is a key period for these retailers, and I welcome this latest effort to support Larne's traders".

Transport Minister, Danny Kennedy, made the announcement which will see the introduction of a new reduced tariff of five hours parking for just one pound in 95 Road Service car parks.

The Minister said: "Retailers across Northern Ireland have been suffering from the economic downturn and I know that the festive season is a key period for them financially. Last week I announced a Christmas transport package for shoppers and traders. This included free Park and Ride services in Belfast, Lisburn, Newry and Londonderry during late night shopping days and also on Saturdays, fare promotions and an embargo on road works over the Christmas period.

"I also wanted to ensure that other areas received some assistance which would encourage shoppers to go into towns over the Christmas period. That is why I have decided to introduce a new reduced tariff of five hours for one pound across 95 of my Department's car parks. “

The new tariff will be introduced from 2 December and will continue until 11 January and will apply to car parks that have a tariff of 30p or more per hour. Drivers will still be able pay the minimum tariff in each car park, for example most car parks have a tariff of 40p per hour so if someone wants to stay for less than an hour they can simply pay 40p.

Concluding, Cllr McKinty said: " I trust that this small gesture will provide a welcome boost for traders and would encourage the public to continue to support their local economy and shop locally.”

"Police arrests positive news for Larne"

Ulster Unionist Councillor Mark McKinty has welcomed news of a number of significant police arrests durimg the first week of the PSNI's Service First programme.

The most recent news saw police arrest and charge a man on suspicion of burglary and intent to steal after they responded to a call in the Lower Cairncastle Road area of Larne at the weekend. The man was arrested after the alarm system of a local school was activated on the evening of Saturday 26 October at around 10:30pm. The 29 year old man was arrested by response officers in the area a short time later.

He will appear at Ballymena Magistrates Court on 22 November 2013. As is normal procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.

Responding to the news, Cllr McKinty, also the Chair of Larne Policing and Community Safety Partnership, welcomed the news. "Last Monday saw the implementation of Service First within the PSNI's H-District. I am aware that there have been issues of community confidence within the community regarding the rolling out of this programme, however we should welcome the news that the PSNI is responding to emergency calls within Larne to an equal if not better standard than before".

"These police arrests are positive news for Larne. In the first week of Service First, 100% of emergency calls were responded to within 15 minutes, and it is important to recognise that there is no place for criminality of any sort in Larne. The PCSP will continue to work with the PSNI and other bodies to ensure that Larne is a safe place in which to live, work and socialise".

SF commitment to policing and community safety 'questionable' - McKinty

Larne Policing and Community Safety Partnership Chairperson Mark McKinty has called into question the dedication of SF representatives in supporting the Police.

 Speaking following recent comments from PCSP Member Cllr McKeown in the press, the Ulster Unionist representative said: "I am deeply disappointed, although not entirely surprised at Cllr McKeown's comments in last week's paper. His attitude is sadly indicative of Sinn Fein's appalling lack of support for local policing and community safety, and I would challenge their local representatives to seriously reconsider their dedication to a safer, more prosperous Larne."

"For Cllr McKeown to brand the PCSP as 'toothless' is a bit rich, given that it has been an age since he last attended a meeting of the partnership. There are certain issues of procedure which I inherited upon assuming the Chair of Larne's PCSP in June, yet I have worked hard to ensure that we are able to move forward in the interest of the people of Larne. In all that time, not once has Cllr McKeown darkened the door..."

"The setup of the PCSP is unique. In attendance at meetings are 10 elected representatives and 9 community representatives - from all walks of life - and representatives of the PSNI, including the local Chief Inspector, Inspector and Sergeant. Questions or concerns about community safety or local policing can be put directly to those who patrol our streets. Sinn Fein, of course, prefer to boycott meetings and report their concerns to the press."

"In addition, a number of other bodies also attend meetings, including the Housing Executive, NEELB, Department of Justice and Fire Service, allowing the PCSP and PSNI to plan strategically with the support and benefit of the experience which these representatives offer."

"I repeat my sentiments from last month: SF made lots of noise in 2012 to ensure that they were afforded a seat on the Larne PCSP, and I would now call on them to stop acting up to the press, to get serious about supporting policing and community safety in our area and urge their representative to turn up to meetings."

 

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1. Original article in which I challenged Oliver McMullan MLA to report crime to the police and not to the press:

 

2. Cllr James McKeown's response to my article:

 

 

Report crime to police, not press - McKinty

Larne Ulster Unionist Councillor Mark McKinty has expressed his concern at reports of intimidation in Larne over the weekend.

Cllr. McKinty said: "I am obviously very concerned at reports of intimidation in Larne over the weekend. If these reports are found to have any basis in fact, then they must be utterly condemned as such behaviour has no place in our society".

"I find it highly irresponsible of Oliver McMullan MLA to continue in his apparent desire to report crime through the press instead of dealing directly with the police," the Larne Lough representative said. "I would urge anyone who has been the victim of intimidation - or any other crime – to contact the Police immediately."

“As chair of the Larne Policing and Community Safety Partnership I would like to point out that, contrary to Mr McMullan's claims on the Nolan Show on Tuesday 3 September 2013, this matter was not discussed at Council the previous night, nor was it raised at the PCSP the week before."

"Just over a year ago Sinn Féin made a lot of noise about not being represented on the PCSP. I would now suggest to Mr McMullan that if his concerns about policing and general safety within Larne are genuine, he should impress on his Sinn Féin colleague Cllr. James McKeown the importance of attending meetings of the PCSP," said Cllr. McKinty. This body exists to provide a forum for elected, business and community representatives to express their concerns, and to formulate a plan aimed at tackling antisocial behaviour.”

“Larne is a great place in which to live, work and socialise. It has a reputation as town that gives a warm welcome to all and that is exactly how I and the Ulster Unionist Party want it to remain."

'Local voices must be listened to' - McKinty

Ulster Unionist Councillor Mark McKinty has welcomed the message last week from the Health Minister, Edwin Poots, that consultation with residents and families is the key to the change process. The Health Minister made the comments following the publication of the Health and Social Care Board’s Project Initiation Document on Improving Services for Older People.

Continuing, Mr Poots said: 'It is unacceptable that any older person should feel distressed because of proposals for change. I have been very clear that their needs, wishes and concerns should be at the core of this process going forward. I am assured that this process will ensure just that and the HSC Board will now begin a process of engagement with residents, families and staff. This will be followed by two periods of public consultation.'

In welcoming the opportunity for consultation, Cllr Mark McKinty has urged that 'local voices must be listened to' throughout the process. 'I welcome the fact that the future of residential care in Northern Ireland will now be subject to public consultation' he said. 'I am also pleased that the Minister has recognised that both the views and the well-being of residents and families are paramount to the future success of Transforming Your Care, however that may manifest itself'.

'I do hope, however, that the consultation will not simply be a box-ticking exercise, with the decisions already having been taken. It is important in a democracy that the people are afforded the opportunity to express their views on such a major project, and that these views are genuinely listened to'.

 

'This announcement is extremely important for Larne, of course, with important decisions to be made on the future of Lisgarel. I would encourage everyone to respond to both consultations, which are inextricably linked, and equally as important. In working together, and in making our views known to the Board, we can have a real positive influence on the future of Lisgarel, and more generally on elderly care in the Borough'.

'Meanwhile, I have written again to the Minister and the Board to impress upon them the importance of ending the moratorium on new admissions to Lisgarel, otherwise numbers will continue to fall and closure by stealth will be a reality' concluded Cllr McKinty. 'Lisgarel must be opened up to new intake, and investment in the future of elderly care in Larne made a priority'.

Notes:

The new process will be taken forward in two stages of consultation.  In the first stage, the Board will be seeking views on the criteria which should be used to assess where changes will happen and the sequence and timing of when this needs to occur.  It is hoped this stage will commence in October 2013 and run until January 2014.

The agreed criteria will then be used by Health and Social Care Trusts to assess their care homes and inform the Board of their future intentions.  The Board will examine these proposals thoroughly to ensure that the future care needs of older people can be appropriately met. It is anticipated that this will happen in the first three months of 2014.

Any major changes, including the proposed closure of any home, will require further consultation. This is the second stage of consultation and during this stage the Board will be encouraging and supporting open and honest discussion about any proposed changes.

Statement on Harbour Traffic Issues

The following is a statement which I released on Monday morning following a meeting with Roads Service officials regarding Saturday's traffic issues in the Harbour area of Larne:

 

"The early hours of Saturday morning saw the first in a number of planned closures of the Harbour Highway. Despite a diversion being in place, there was traffic chaos in and around the Harbour area, and this continued into the evening."

 

"I was contacted by a number of residents and commuters who were not only angry at the situation, but also concerned that the gridlock would inhibit the safe and speedy movement of any emergency services which needed access to the area. I then contacted both Roads Service and the PSNI who gave commitments to work together in an attempt to alleviate the situation."

 

"On Monday morning I had a meeting with Roads Service, who apologised for the negative impact on local residents, businesses and commuters to the area. I am pleased to say that Roads Service have confirmed that extra efforts late on Sunday night ensured that all planned works were completed by 2am on Monday morning, and that the planned closure of the Harbour Highway next weekend should not take place."

 

"I have impressed upon Roads Service the need to ensure that any future works on the road in question do not result in the same situation, and thanked them for the extra efforts to ensure that no further closure is neccessary in the near future. I would also encourage all road users to adhere to any diversions in place in order to avoid the unneccessary build-up of traffic."

 

Traffic was forced to queue from the Harbour roundabout to the Glenarm Road/Curran Road lights on Sunday because of the closure of the A8 outbound lanes due to roadworks. INLT 27-370-PR. Photo courtesy of LarneTimes.co.uk

 

"Gobbins restoration will put Larne on the world map"

Cllr Mark McKinty, Deputy Mayor of Larne, has welcomed recent progress on the Gobbins Pathrestoration project. Speaking following a boat trip to view the path from the sea, the Ulster Unionist Larne Lough representative was positive about progress over the next 12 months. "We are very lucky to live in such a beautiful Borough, and to have a feature such as the Gobbins on our doorstep" he said. "It has been one of Northern Ireland's best-kept secrets for a long time, and I am excited that it will soon receive international recognition".

Background

In 1892 the railway company opened up the coastline around Whitehead and Blackhead to excursionists by making pathways and footbridges along the cliffs to encourage rail traffic from Belfast and Larne.

The Gobbins Path was designed by civil engineer Berkeley Deane Wise, and included staircases along the cliffs, dramatic tubular and suspension bridges and caves and tunnels carved through the rock. It eventually stretched more than two miles.

Postcard of one of the bridges at the Gobbins path showing the engineer Berkley Deane Wise and his wife, Leah, in about 1902.

Construction work commenced in May 1901. Bridges were constructed in Belfast and floated out from Whitehead on barges before being lifted into position, high above the sea. The first section of the path opened in 1902.

According to an advertisement of the time, the 'new cliff path along the Gobbins Cliffs, with its ravines, bore caves, natural aquariums ... has no parallel in Europe as a marine cliff walk'.

Wise, chief engineer for the Belfast and Northern Counties Railway, tied in promotion of his Gobbins path directly to rail travel. Visitors would arrive at the station in Ballycarry or Whitehead and then either walk there or be taken onwards by jaunting car^. For several decades, until the outbreak of the Second World War, the Gobbins was one of the most popular tourist destinations in Northern Ireland, said to be even bigger than the Giant's Causeway.

A view of the suspension bridge.

When Wise retired in 1906 the company seemed to lose interest. It was to have stretched 3¼ miles with a northern exit at Heddle’s Port but sadly the path was never completed. It was last painted in 1936. Severe gales and rock falls meant a high annual maintenance bill and, after a lack of repairs or maintenance during its temporary closure in the World War II, the railway decided it could not afford the rebuilding costs. After the war, the Ulster Transport Authority took on the job of reopening the path and strengthening most of the bridges, but in 1954 high costs forced them to abandon the task, and the path was finally closed in 1961.

A group of ladies on the tubular bridge, c.1940.

Restoration

In June 2012, Larne Borough Council sanctioned a £6 million deal which would lead to the Gobbins Path being reinstated. The Scheme is due to start in autumn 2012. This two-phase plan includes rebuilding the path and bridges plus a new cliff-top path, visitors' centre, café and playground.

As before, much of the engineering will be constructed off-site and transported to the path by barges. Work will only take place in autumn and winter due to the colonies of nesting sea birds on the cliffs, which are protected during breeding season.

Many of the bridges, stairs and pathways are beyond use.

Ulster Unionist MEP, Jim Nicholson, has welcomed the £3.5million investment into the restoration of the Gobbins cliff path in Islandmagee, from the Special EU Programmes Body.

Mr Nicholson said, “In its prime, this coastal path was more popular than the Giant’s Causeway, but has now been closed to the public for almost 60 years; hopefully the restoration of this path will re-establish the Gobbins as a popular tourist destination in Northern Ireland. I am pleased that the Special EU Programmes body has invested £3.5million towards the £6million project.

“The creation of a visitor centre is included in this project, which is projected to attract 70,000 visitors in its first year; this will be a great boost for the East Antrim area when this project is completed in May 2014.”

Cllr Mark McKinty at Wise's Eye, the entrance to the Gobbins Path.

Cllr McKinty shared this view of the potential for Larne and Islandmagee in particular: "The entire project is due to be completed by May 2014, and a key element is the participation of and opportunities for the local community" he said. "Information evenings on the fascinating history, myths and folklore surrounding the Gobbins have proven to be very successful and enlightening."

"The visitors centre in Islandmagee will also house a new Community facility. The tours, café, gift shop and shuttle bus will provide local employment in addition to providing a platform for crafts from the local area. Further, the knock-on effect within the local economy will be fantastic, and the Gobbins project is an important part of our marketing of Larne as a destination where people can stay for longer."

"In the past, this project was Northern Ireland's signature project - drawing international attention, such as the Institute of Civil Engineers who held their first meeting outside London to visit the Gobbins. It is rightly being given equally importance now, with the Tourist Board holding the project as its theme for 2014, similar to the Titanic Project and the UK City of Culture have been over the past two years".

Cllr McKinty concluded: "This project has been a long time coming, and even recently we have had some major hurdles to negotiate in order to secure its future. I am excited about the potential for this project - the Gobbins restoration will put Larne on the world map. However, I am glad that the local community is a key part of the restoration project, and that the long-term benefit will ultimately lie with the people of Islandmagee and the wider Larne and East Antrim area."

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If you have any interesting stories or photographs about the Gobbins, please let me know! Email: mmckinty@gmail.com