Write a commentSlieve Gullion Councillor Pete Byrne has urged the PSNI to play their part in transforming The Square in Newtownhamilton by removing bollards to open up space for public use.
Byrne said: “I have written to the PSNI to seek a meeting to discuss the potential of opening up a part of The Square in Newtownhamilton which has been closed off to the public for decades. Having met with the Chief Constable earlier this month, he gave me a clear commitment to work with elected representatives and the local community to help change the face of policing in South Armagh. It is important that the infrastructure that exists at Police Stations in Newtownhamilton and Crossmaglen is looked at as part of his review of policing in the area.”
“The local community in Newtownhamilton have been asking for years now for the bollards to be removed to open up the front of the police station for parking which is badly needed. This comes at a time when The Square is in urgent need of repair works and I will be urging the Department of Infrastructure to assess the need for resurfacing. However, this brings forward the opportunity to transform The Square by encouraging the PSNI and the Department work together.”
“The wider conversation on how we normalise policing in South Armagh needs to be undertaken and I’m keen that the infrastructure that exists is examined. In 2020, a Police Station should not resemble a barracks, that must change. The communities of Crossmaglen and Newtownhamilton deserve better and work must begin to transform the visibility and approach of policing as we enter a new decade.”
