South Down Alliance representatives led by Andrew McMurray MLA will present a pettion to the Economy Minister on the Gondola proposal
Alliance South Down representatives to present petition to Economy Minister opposing Gondola development which is part of the Mournes Gateway Project in the Belfast City Deal.
Alliance South Down MLA Andrew McMurray, alongside Mournes Councillor Jill Truesdale and local campaigners and environmentalists, will present a petition to the Economy Minister on Monday (2 December), calling on Newry Mourne and Down District Council to halt progress on the Visitor Centre at Thomas’s Quarry and Gondola elements of the Mourne Gateway Project.
Andrew McMurray MLA said: “The strength of public opinion that has been expressed to me over the years in opposition to this aspect of the project has been constant and unabating.
“The people of South Down are concerned, frustrated, and, frankly, fed up when it comes to the lack of regard shown for their concerns by other parties who remain intransigent and still champion this deeply unpopular part of the plans.
“There is no shortage of reasons why we oppose the Gondola and have unfortunately ended up in this situation today.
“Whether it’s the lack of public consultation on it, the disregard of other, more sustainable, alternative uses for the funding, the financial risk involved and lack of economic viability, or the threat to the local environment and disruption of our area’s vast and unique natural beauty.
“In presenting this petition to the Economy Minister, we hope to draw his attention to the feelings of local people towards this project and urge that he would exert some influence to prompt a rethink of the problematic elements.”
Cllr Jill Truesdale added: “Openness, transparency, and ensuring value for money for our ratepayers should be at the heart of decision making at every level of government.
“From what we’ve observed so far in the development of the Gondola aspect of the Gateway Project, these principles haven’t been met and I’m proud to stand alongside local campaigners making their voices heard on it.
“Going forward, we hope that the more sustainable options for enhancing the Mourne Mountains, while also stimulating economic growth, can be further explored, which would benefit both visitors to and residents of Newcastle and the wider South Down constituency.”
Andy Carden, of the Mourne Gateway Info Group, said: “We’re incredibly pleased that our petition against the Mourne Gateway Gondola has garnered more than 5,200 signatories, and will be presented tomorrow.
“These signatures represent the overwhelming public opposition to this aspect of the Council’s plans for the project, and we urge them to abandon the Gondola plan and turn to sustainable alternatives.”
UPDATE: (2 12 24).
Andrew McMurray MLA said speaking on his social media accopunt: “Today, I was able to hand in a petition coordinated by the Mourne Gateway Info Group (and activists Geoff IngramAndy CardenEllen McVeaDawson Stelfox though there are probably too many to mention) of over 6,000 names to the Speaker of the Assembly for the attention of the Minister for the Economy highlighting the public concerns of the Gondola and Visitor Centre elements of the Mourne Gateway project.
The concerns are many: environmental, community, financial and economical.
Anrew McMurray said: Today, I was able to hand in a petition coordinated by the Mourne Gateway Info Group (and activists Geoff IngramAndy CardenEllen McVeaDawson Stelfox though there are probably too many to mention) of over 6,000 names to the Speaker of the Assembly for the attention of the Minister for the Economy highlighting the public concerns of the Gondola and Visitor Centre elements of the Mourne Gateway project.
The concerns are many: environmental, community, financial and economical.
***
RELATED POSTS:
