Downpatrick Councillor Cadogan Enright has declared himself ‘totally exasperated’ with Belfast Estate Agent Colliers in their failure to respond to both public demand, and to the commercial necessity to open up a pedestrian route into the ADSA complex in Downpatrick in the run up to Christmas.

Cllr Enright said “Following the blocking of the pedestrian entrance to the ASDA shopping complex over 2 years ago, I have had meetings and lengthy correspondence with Belfast estate agent Colliers to open a new path supported by ASDA, MacDonalds and other traders.

“Despite overwhelming public demand to reopen one of these two footpaths onto the site, retail park management are still refusing to budge.

“Rathkelter planning office has indicated that a fee of £249 is all that is required to re-instate a walkway. Planners noted that pedestrians would have to brave far fewer cars with one of these footpaths, as unlike the existing pedestrian crossing, they would not have to stop car access to the ASDA petrol station.

“Staff working in the complex are very annoyed over the on-going situation that sees them scaling the wall daily. The general public are hopping over the blocking wall day and daily where they are fit enough to do so and don’t have buggies or lots of shopping.

I am writing to MLA’s and MP’s to see if they can intervene on this matter, as it is clear that planners, retailers, staff in the retail complex and the population of Downpatrick and District all support the need for this path.

Colliers and the Landlord need to listen to local people whose custom this Christmas underlies the economic success of this retail park.