BELFAST: SECURITY WALLS

HL Deb 22 May 1984 vol 452 cc219-20WA

Lord Dunleath

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Where in Belfast have security screens or interfaces been replaced by brick or concrete walls; what has been the cost of each of these schemes: and which department or agency has borne the cost of construction.

Lord Lyell

The screens and fences which have been erected in Belfast to assist the security forces in their task of maintaining law and order are temporary in nature and it is not general policy that they should be replaced with permanent fixtures. However, where community support exists for a more permanent structure, and where there may be environmental and other advantages, consideration may be given to the construction of a wall.

Only two such walls have been built: at Cupar Street, where the cost of some £260,000 was met by the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland, and at Roden Street, facing Westlink, where the cost of £220,000 was shared between the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. One further wall is currently under construction at Elmgrove Street. The cost of some £120,000 is being met by the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland.