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180 alley gates have been installed in five areas of Belfast under a project to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. The Belfast alley gate scheme was launched by Minister of State, David Hanson in April and is funded by the Department for Social Development's Belfast Regeneration Office and the NIO's Community Safety Unit. |
The project was developed by the Northern Ireland Office, Belfast City Council and Bryson Charitable Group, to meet some of the aims of the Government's Neighbourhood Renewal and Community Safety strategies.
The gates will allow secure access for residents but will deter fly tipping, vandalism and other anti-social behaviour. The aim is that this will reduce the opportunities for anti-social behaviour and improve residents' confidence in the safety of their environment. The Bryson Charitable Group has consulted with the communities whose alleyway accesses are to be gated, and the Council has managed the installation of the gates and invested in the sustained maintenance of them.
Emergency and utility services will also have controlled access to the gates to allow emergency and maintenance access where necessary. The gates have been installed at:
RPS' Belfast Office were engaged through Belfast City Council in their role as the Council's framework civil and structural engineers.
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The remit for this scheme includes both design and contractual management which involved the preparation of designs, specification and contract documentation and the appointment and supervision of the construction contractor.
RPS were also involved in ensuring the communities were kept informed of progress or design changes and meetings were held with all residents groups concerned.
Minister of State, David Hanson said "[T]he feedback we have been receiving has been very positive. Residents have told us that this scheme has helped reduce their fear of crime and improved the quality of life in their areas." |
| An ungated urban alleyway. | |
For more information please contact:
RPS Belfast (Elmwood House) - Planning & Development
T: 028 9066 7914