Homes in a North Belfast housing estate that have been targeted in sectarian attacks will be more secure after the erection of a new gate, a local councillor has said.
For up to ten years residents of Somerdale Park off the Crumlin Road have had their homes targeted by youths coming through an alleyway from the nearby loyalist Glencairn estate throwing paint bombs and stones and even petrol bombs.
However after pressure from local residents and local Sinn Féin councillor Gerard McCabe the Department of Justice last week installed a new gate and turnstile designed to curb the access at night.
Access to the alleyway, which serves as the rear entrance to Belfast City Council’s Clarendon Multi-Sports Facility, will be closed in the evenings.
Cllr McCabe said he was hopeful that that will go someway to reducing the problems for the Somerdale residents.
“Homes here have been targeted for some years and residents have been calling for something to be done as a matter of urgency,” he said.
“Neighbours are happy with the outcome and the next stage is to secure the remainder of the fence around nearby waste ground. There will be continued meetings with relevant agencies to bring it to a conclusion. I would like to thank all the agencies for all their work to make the neighbours feel a bit more secure in their own homes.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Justice said: “The Department of Justice carried out repairs to the existing structure as a result of recommendations in a structural assessment commissioned by the Department. This resulted in the replacement of the existing gates and turnstile.”
They added that the improvements were made partly in response to sectarian attacks. “Responding to concerns expressed by local residents about incidents, the Department agreed to align the new gates with an existing wall to provide a more effective barrier. The Department did this in consultation with the PSNI's Crime Prevention Unit, and the work was carried out in conjunction with the Housing Executive.”
