With support from the National Lottery Community Fund the Ashton Community Trust continues to provide ongoing assistance to local residents as they cope with the physical and social challenges arising from the development of the nearby Ulster University, its carpark and associated student accommodation tower blocks.
An ongoing problem for local residents has been obstructive vehicle parking which is causing serious disruption. It is anticipated that this problem will only worsen when the University Campus opens this year and many thousands of students, staff and visitors arrive in the area.
In order to explore potential solutions to these issues a walkabout of the Lancaster Street, Thomas Street area was conducted on Tuesday night 11th May. Attending the walkabout were local residents, community workers from Ashton, Safer Streets, New Lodge Housing Forum, MLA Caral Ni Chuilin as well as representatives from Ulster University, Belfast City Council and the Department for Infrastructure (DFI).
The walkabout allowed the Department for Infrastructure official to see the problems first hand and hear directly from residents about their issues and concerns. Active engagement with DFI and the University will be ongoing and Ashton working alongside residents, community partners and elected representatives will continue to urge the Department for Infrastructure to do all it can to provide a successful outcome for residents.
