A Bridge Too Far At Whitewell Interface

An innovative solution to sectarian tensions along a north Belfast interface looks set to fail, despite being backed by a local MP and MLA.

As work continues on widening the M2 north approach to Belfast – including demolishing several motorway bridges - a campaign to have the new, replacement Arthur Road bridge relocated further north up the troubled Whitewell Road seesm to be going nowhere.

However, North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds has vowed to fight on, and has already achieved something with a decision not to site the replacement motorway bridge even closer to the loyalist White City estate, when the new one is built.

But, he said that residents and public representatives would continue calling for the notorious junction to be moved north in a bid to help end sectarian clashes in the area.

Local politicians believe that much of the interface violence in the area between loyalists from White City and nationalists from Longlands could be brought to an end by simply relocating the existing junction a few hundred yards north.

“In recent months residents from the White City have been very concerned about a proposal made by the contractors to move Arthur Bridge towards the estate.

“If implemented this would have increased the vulnerability of houses in the White City estate to sectarian attack.

“Thankfully this proposal has now been dropped and residents are encouraged that their views have been listened to on this occasion,” Mr Dodds commented.

However, following a recent meeting with Regional Development Minister, Sinn Fein’s Conor Murphy, the DUP man said he had been disappointed to learn that the replacement bridge and road junction could not be moved up the Whitewell Road under the terms of the current contract.

“It is disappointing that the bridge cannot immediately be replaced further towards the Throne shopping complex. This proposal grew out of a cross-community meeting and there was real consent for this as the way forward.

“Community representatives are resolved that this is the only long term solution to the problem and while content that the bridge is not to be moved southwards from it original location are adamant that the long term goal is to replace it at a different location,” Mr Dodds added.

(BMcC)