Sir, – My father-in law, Dr Robert Calwell, a third generation GP in inner city Belfast, was driven out of two fine houses/surgeries by the “motorway madness” described in Frank McDonald’s interesting article (The New Northern Ireland, November 20th). 100 York Street, an early Victorian townhouse, was the victim of a still incomplete flyover for a never-built inner ring road in Belfast. The planners then obliterated Brougham Street and a fine small Victorian house that he had moved his practice to. He then retired!
The planners continued to “improve” Belfast by allowing the destruction of three magnificent Victorian railway stations, having already closed the Comber/ Newtownards railway line. Commuters have had little choice but to take to their cars.
Nonetheless, for a generation, Belfast was being devastated on a daily basis by IRA bombs and socially destroyed by sectarianism and paramilitary violence from both sides. Inner city Belfast had the worst housing conditions in Western Europe and regeneration of the housing stock was essential. People fled the city to survive and give their children a decent chance in life. Forced to commute, workers had to endure daily threats on buses, on trains, on foot and in their cars from terrorist activity. Many of the empty spaces in central Belfast are undeveloped because of the property collapse and the failure of developers to carry out their grand schemes.
Modern Belfast is beginning, phoenix-like, to rise from the ashes and is an enjoyable city to be in and visit, but far from the road network being a disaster, it is finally beginning to work. The QE2 bridge over the Lagan and its associated rail link have enhanced the city with superb views and seamless travel. If the M2 and the M1 are linked by a new York Street flyover, some of the remaining congestion will be released.
Dublin is a disaster compared with Belfast in terms of public transport and clear roads. Dublin has lost fine Georgian houses and has the continuing disaster of the dereliction of Parnell Square. – Yours, etc,