REPAIR work has begun in one of South Belfast’s most exclusive residential areas after a surge in complaints about the the state of the road.
Plush Newforge Lane, off the Malone Road, which is partly private owned, was full of potholes, causing misery for motorists going to and from their homes and places of work. The area is also home to a business park and the Newforge Country Club, which is the base for the PSNI Athletic Association. A club staff member told us the road was “horrendous” and said visitors often complained about their journey to and from the site.
However, despite some work having been carried out, staff at a business based in Newforge Lane stress it is still unsatisfactory.
Buisness owner Peter O’Connor, of Macmotech, based in the adjoining business park, said: “I am pleased that a degree of remedial work has been carried out on Newforge Lane. This work appears to have been done during the day of May 2.
“Unfortunately this remedial work has only repaired two or three potholes and has done little to improve road safety or conditions.”
The firm said some of their staff have previously complained of damage to their vehicles as they travelled along the lane – in one case a driver was landed with with a repair bill of £700.
Balmoral Sinn Féin Councillor Máirtín Ó Muilleoir said: “It is good to see the landlords responding to public pressure.
“I have also had a productive discussion with Professor Seamus Kennedy, who heads up the large AFBI facility on Newforge Lane and am pleased that DARD will bring forward its own plans to resurface the road, in partnership with local property owners.”
He added: “There is no reason why this issue shouldn’t be sorted and sorted now by the landlords of the Newforge Business Park. Residents will certainly play their part.”
“Unfortunately this remedial work has only repaired two or three pot holes and has done little to improve road safety or conditions.”
