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23 December 2011

SECURITY gates at a notorious interface dividing loyalists and republicans in west Belfast are to open seven days a week from this weekend, at the request of local residents. Belfast News Letter 23.12.11

The decision to open the gates at Northumberland Street for a period on Sundays – which will commence on Christmas Day – was confirmed by Justice Minister David Ford yesterday after people living in the Shankill Road-Falls Road area agreed the move at a meeting earlier this week.

The gates currently open between 6.30am and 6.30pm from Monday through to Saturday.

The extension to the “peace wall” opening hours comes after another successful pilot project in the north of the city – it was announced last week that residents at Belfast’s Alexandra Park interface are to be asked if they also wish security gates to be opened other than the current limited hours on weekdays.

Pastor Jack McKee, of New Life City Church, situated at the Shankill interface, said the Northumberland Street development was a “positive response” to the request of church members and others.

He described community relations on the ground as “absolutely fabulous” and said the long-term objective remained the removal of the security gates in their entirety.

He added that the last recorded incident at the Northumberland gates, according to police, was in 1997.

Mr Ford said: “This is a welcome step forward in providing increased access to the local community living on both sides of the gates.

“Within the last six months we have, in consultation with local communities, reached agreement to open gates in Alexandra Park, Newington Street and now Northumberland Street.

“These developments show what can be achieved through local engagement, consultation and improved community confidence.”

From Christmas Day, the Northumberland Street gates will open every Sunday from 10am to 3pm.

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/local/city_interface_gates_to_open_seven_days_a_week_1_3361749