By Julie Waters
PLANS to breathe new life into Ballywalter’s Main Street as part of an environmental improvement scheme have been unveiled.
Ards and North Down Council’s public realm scheme aims to create an ‘accessible, vibrant and welcoming’ Main Street in the heart of the village.
The project is set to include high quality surface materials, improvements to the footpaths, junctions and on street parking, with new street furniture. Also incorporated into the scheme will be tree and sustainable drainage system planting which uses vegetation to manage surface water runoff.
Phase one of the scheme will improve two public open spaces by the War Memorial and at the Square whilst connecting the Main Street to the Harbour and the recently redeveloped Ballywalter Lime Kilns.
A public information event was held at Ballywalter Village Hall recently when local people were able to see first hand the environmental project’s proposals.
Ards Peninsula alderman Robert Adair welcomed the ‘positive’ public engagement event saying the project was set to ‘transform’ the village Main Street. “Ballywalter is one of the busiest main streets on the peninsula with beautiful beaches and a feel good factor,” he said.
“I was delighted that my lobbying for this scheme has been supported by the local Ballywalter Community Action Group and Michelle McIlveen MLA.”
Mr Adair said: “Everyone in attendance were given the opportunity to view the proposed plans for the Ballywalter Public Realm plans give their views and help shape the proposals.
“The plans will include street furniture, better accessibility, improved lighting and paving and will transform the village centre into a vibrant 21st century Main Street at the heart of the Ards Peninsula.”
Mr Adair said the Ballywalter public realm scheme would follow on from the success of similar schemes in Portavogie and Portaffery, with Millisle also set to benefit from an environmental scheme.
He said: “We welcome the delivery of a number of projects such as the investment in the harbour and the Lime Kilns, they have all been transformative in the village.”
