Exciting projects are planned for Crossgar

Exciting projects are planned for Crossgar

25 January 2012 - by DAVID TELFORD

THE Crossgar Community Association has identified a number of projects it will be working on over the coming months.

Details of the schemes were unveiled at the new group’s first meeting last week.

Redeveloping a children’s play park at Lislea Drive and involving local schoolchildren in painting a wooden hoarding at Downpatrick Street are two of the projects the group will be working on.

An existing mural adjacent to the Hunter’s Moon community facility is to be given a new lease of life and the community group also plans to respond to concerns about speeding at the Westlands estate.

Concern was also expressed at last week’s meeting about Down Council’s decision to withdraw the Saturday morning refuse collection service from Crossgar.

Community Association chairman Paul Teggart said members have each been given projects which they are to work on over the coming months.

“We are determined to do what we can to improve things in Crossgar and also want to hear from people in the village about any issues which they believe we can help them with,” he continued.

“Crossgar now has a group which can meet with key decision makers at various government agencies and this is something we aim to do in the near future.”

Mr. Teggart said improving disabled access is another priority for the new group, especially around the doctor’s surgery.

“We have been able to secure funding to involve the schoolchildren in designing and painting a new hoarding which is to be erected within the next few weeks to replace one at Downpatrick Street.

“We are grateful to the efforts of Down Council official Mark Kent who has helped earmark finance which will allow children from local primary schools to get involved in this scheme.”

Mr. Teggart said anyone in the village who has any ideas they want addressed should leave them in an envelope marked for the attention of the Crossgar Community Association at Crossgar Post Office.

The group’s chairman also thanked Lise Curran from the East Down Rural Community Network, Down Council Community Safety Officer Priscilla McAlinden and Rowallane councillors Billy Walker, Terry Andrews and Maria McCarthy for their continued support.

Councillor McCarthy has welcomed the commitment shown by the officers and members of the new committee to deal with a wide range of issues affecting Crossgar.

She added: “The committee has already undertaken excellent work and was successful with an application for funding for Christmas lights.

“A special tribute needs to be paid to the chairman Paul Teggart who was instrumental in negotiations with lighting contractors and Down Council.

“There’s a lot of work to be done around Crossgar and last week’s meeting provided not only a very fruitful discussion on the key issues, but more importantly action plans on the way forward.”