Beggs highlights access to Greenisland Businesses

Roy out on site at the junction of Knockfergus Park with Station Road

Roy Beggs MLA has been contacted by local Greenisland businesses who have suffered a significant loss of trade due to traffic diversion during the upgrading of the water mains on the Station Road, Greenisland. The MLA has called on NI Water to increase the prominence of signage highlighting that access is available to local businesses on the Station Road and Glassillan Court, Greenisland.

Roy Beggs MLA said “Local traders on the Station Road and at Glassillan Court, Greenisland provide important services to the local community.  Now that local access is once more available travelling down the Station Road to Knockfergus Park, access is greatly improved.   I would urge customers to once more support these local traders.”

The Ulster Unionist MLA said, “I have been contacted by local businesses who have suffered a significant loss of trade whilst contractors are installing new water mains on the Station Road, Greenisland, for NI Water.  I have highlighted this disruption with NI Water and asked them to increase the awareness that there is access to homes, churches and local businesses on the Station Road and to the shops at Glassillan Court, Greenisland.  “Road Closed” seems to be the most prominent signage whilst secondary signs indicating access being available to local businesses is being missed by many.”

In conclusion Roy Beggs MLA said “Having spoken to contractors I am aware that they will be taking a short Easter break and will be working during the Easter week holiday period.  I have pressed NI Water that the work which was scheduled to be completed by the 18^th April will be completed as soon as possible so that disruption would be kept to a minimum.”

Roy Beggs MLA has welcomed the new funding that has been awarded to local East Antrim groups by the National Lottery

With my own children having benefited from local playgroups many years ago, I am delighted that a training grant has been awarded to the Larne/ Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey Branch of Early Years so that today’s children can continue to benefit from positive attitudes.

Ballyboley Pipe Band have been awarded £9,839 to make improvement to their hall  They are highly regarded locally for their music and for encouraging many new young drummers and pipers in particular.  As WM of Ballyboley LOL 458 I too have greatly enjoyed their music and professionalism.

Two local groups based in Greenisland have also benefited. The Northern Ireland Polio Fellowship which received £5,500 to bring 22 members to take part in the British Polio Fellowship annual games in England.

Northern Ireland Young Walkers which is a  walking club run by volunteers to promote improved health and build friendships. The £4,464 grant is being used to train volunteer walk leaders.

Any Local groups who wish to consider “Awards for All” can apply for a grant of between £500 and £10,000 for a project which will last up to 12 months.  Further information can be found at  http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk or email enquiries.ni@biglotteryfund.org.uk or contact their Communications team on 028 9055 1455

Beggs highlights need to increase local referrals to Affordable Warmth Scheme

Roy Beggs MLA, who lighted that the smallest number of referral to the NIHE of the Affordable Warmth Scheme of any council area were from the Mid and East Antrim Council has written to the council to urge even more proactive working to identify more who might benefit from improved insulation, home or heating system improvement.

Roy Beggs MLA said, “I am pleased that throughout NI, there has been a considerable up-lift in the take up of the Affordable Warmth Scheme and more are benefiting from the home improvements designed to reduce fuel poverty. However, it is disappointing that Mid and East Antrim Council had the lowest number of referrals for the Affordable Warmth Scheme to the NIHE, of any council.

In addition, Antrim and Newtownabbey Council has the second lowest number of homes helped.  I have pressed departmental officials and written to both these council to try to ensure that more residents from Carrickfergus and Larne and Newtownabbey could benefit from the scheme”

Beggs Welcomes Selection of Islandmagee PS for Next Detailed Planning Stage

Roy Beggs MLA, who had long pressed for the development of the new primary school for Islandmagee has welcomed the selection of Islandmagee Primary to be one of ten schools with an estimated cost of £40m in NI to proceed to the next detailed planning stage.

Roy Beggs MLA said, “The building of a new school for Islandmagee is clearly needed given the numbers of children on Islandmagee. In 2003, locally it had been agree to amalgamate the then 3 schools into one.  It has taken far too long to get to this final development stage of the new school for Islandmagee.

 I answer to an Assembly question in December, the Minister had said “No capital investment has been made to date on a new site for Islandmagee Primary School (PS).”

Roy Beggs MLA said, “This new build proposal has taken so long that officials did not recognise that £1m has already been invested in securing the new school site on the Low Road some 9 years ago.

 I took the opportunity of the Ministers mistake to brief him on the delays that parents, children and teachers have faced.   Having been able to fully inform him of the 14 years of delays I am pleased that the Minister has now agreed that the school should move to the detailed stage of the new build process.   With the Department of Education already having invested in the site and with a planning permission having been achieved on the site, I would hope that the detailed proposals can now be finalised quickly, and the children of Islandmagee can be provided with a modern school facility that will aid their learning."

Beggs Welcomes Bleach Green Avenue Pot Hole Repair

 

Bleach Green Avenue before the pothole was repaired

Ulster Unionist Party MLA Roy Beggs jr, has welcomed news that Transport NI have repaired a pothole in Bleach Green Avenue.  This occurred following the UUP MLA reporting the issue to Transport NI in February.

 

Roy Beggs MLA said “I had reported the pothole on Bleach Green Avenue, near the junction of Fernagh Road around a month ago and I was pleased to see that the required repair has been actioned.  If any local residents see any more potholes that need to be reported, please contact me at roy.beggs@btopenworld.com .”