Willie Jack, a leading publican in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, urges swift pedestrianisation of Hill Street amid safety concerns and criticises unexplained opposition delaying the £5,000 scheme ahead of next year’s Fleadh Cheoil festival.
A prominent publican from Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter has voiced his strong support for the pedestrianisation of Hill Street, expressing confusion over opposition to the scheme. Willie Jack, owner of well-known establishments such as the Duke of York and the Harp Bar, emphasised the importance of the initiative for safety reasons, particularly in light of recent issues involving young drivers frequencing the area.
In an interview with The Irish News, Jack remarked, “the cobbled street, which was pedestrianised for a trial period in 2020 during the Covid pandemic, had become popular in recent years with young car drivers ‘continually cruising’ the area late at night.” He suggested that with the upcoming Fleadh Cheoil festival set to take place in Belfast for the first time in August next year, it is “essential” that the pedestrianisation is implemented sooner rather than later.
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins recently announced that her department would engage with those opposing the scheme, although specific details regarding these objections remain unclear. A query submitted to the Department of Infrastructure last Thursday seeking insights into the nature of these objections has yet to receive a response.
Kimmins stated that the project, which is estimated to cost £5,000, has been “prioritised,” yet it has faced delays attributed to austerity measures in the UK, impacting staffing levels within her department.
Jack noted that he has made multiple attempts to identify those opposed to the pedestrianisation but has been unsuccessful. “There’s strong support among the businesses in the area and I honestly don’t know what the objections are,” he stated. He expressed concern that the discussions surrounding objections were a “red herring” being used to stall progress on the scheme.
He further stressed the growing safety issues along Hill Street, observing, “In the past two or three years, Hill Street has become particularly popular with young drivers who spend their nights continually cruising around. It’s essential Hill Street is pedestrianised for safety reasons before someone is injured.”
The ongoing discussions around this issue also reached the political sphere, as opposition leader Matthew O’Toole is set to raise the matter in an SDLP adjournment debate in the assembly. O’Toole described the situation as “Kafkaesque,” characterising it as a series of “endless delays” coupled with changing stories from the department, and pointed out the absurdity of blaming austerity for inaction on what he termed a “tiny project.”
He added, “This small measure is a test of ministers,” indicating a desire to elevate the matter to the floor of the assembly to advocate for clarity and swift action on the pedestrianisation of Hill Street.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8djg4jln20o – This article discusses the pause in plans to pedestrianise Hill Street in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, citing competing work priorities and underfunding as reasons for the delay.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-68535682 – This piece outlines the proposal to pedestrianise Hill Street, including the introduction of a one-way system and service access for local businesses, as announced by Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd.
- https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/disappointing-and-surprising-delays-to-belfast-pedestrianisation-plans-criticised-by-night-tsar/a1093090383.html – This article highlights criticism from Belfast’s first night tsar regarding the delays in the pedestrianisation of Hill Street, emphasizing the need for action to support the city’s night-time economy.
- https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/minister-blames-austerity-and-underfunding-for-repeated-delays-to-pedestrianisation-of-cathedral-quarters-hill-street/a1692550212.html – This report details Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins’ statement attributing the repeated delays in pedestrianising Hill Street to austerity measures and underfunding.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd11ez3yem8o – This article covers the decision by Willie Jack, owner of The Duke of York and Harp Bar, to close his pubs earlier to maintain safety and prevent the Cathedral Quarter from becoming like Dublin’s Temple Bar.
- https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/dup-mla-hits-out-as-full-pedestrianisation-of-belfast-street-ruled-out/a1123435334.html – This piece reports on DUP MLA Phillip Brett’s criticism of the Department for Infrastructure’s decision not to fully pedestrianise Hill Street, expressing disappointment over the lack of ambition and delivery.
- https://www.irishnews.com/news/northern-ireland/prominent-publican-willie-jack-says-he-has-no-idea-who-is-opposing-hill-street-pedestrianisation-ZNEVHQUNIVA5HLR7EGCDO5BQPE/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative discusses current events and recent developments, such as the upcoming Fleadh Cheoil festival and ongoing political discussions. There are no clear indications of outdated content.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
Quotes appear original as they are directly attributed to specific individuals like Willie Jack and Matthew O’Toole. However, without access to earlier publications or interviews, it’s challenging to confirm their first appearance.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Irish News, a reputable source known for its coverage of Northern Ireland news. This provides a strong basis for reliability.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
Claims about the need for pedestrianisation and discussions around opposition are plausible and align with typical urban development challenges. However, specifics about opposition remain unclear.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears fresh, with original quotes from key figures and originates from a reliable source. Claims of safety concerns and political discussions are plausible in the context of urban development.
