Issues

		South Antrim

		South Antrim is a very diverse constituency. It
		borders Lough Neagh on one side, and North
		Belfast on the other. It contains both rural and
		high density urban areas.

		The M2/M22 runs right through South Antrim as
		do the Belfast - Derry and Lisburn - Antrim
		(Knockmore) railway lines. Belfast International
South Antrim Constituency Boundaries		Airport is located in the west.

There are many ongoing issues which affect all constituents, no matter where they live.
These include public transport, improvements to the roads and rail infrastructure, lack of
of affordable and social housing, warms homes and sub-standard recreational facilities.

Other recent concerns for the residents of South Antrim include the classroom
assistants strike, which has affected many schools, and the M2 widening project
which has caused serious disruption to traffic flow in and out of Belfast.

		Crumlin (and surrounding areas)

		Crumlin is a rapidly growing town, close to
		Glenavy, Aldergrove and Nutts Corner.
		The SDLP South Antrim Constituency Office
		holds a prominent location on Main Street.

		Crumlin (and Glenavy) have proven popular
		with Belfast commuters in recent years and
		house prices have reached such a level that
Thomas Burns on Main Street, Crumlin		local people can't compete in the local market.

The 'mothballing' of the Knockmore railway line and closure of Crumlin, Glenavy and
Ballinderry railway stations in 2003 has proven to be very unpopular. This railway line
and these stations should be re-opened and extended to the International Airport.

Rising crime, low police visibility and the increasing fear of crime are also concerns
raised by residents on a regular basis.

Crumlin also suffers from a serious lack of recreational facilities for children, teenagers
and young people - but the good work done by St. James GAC and initiatives like 'Midnight
Soccer' at the community centre go some way towards addressing this problem.

		Antrim Town

		Antrim is the biggest town in the constituency.
		The population was estimated at 20,000 people
		in the 2001 census.

		The regeneration of Antrim Town centre has
		become a key issue in recent times. SDLP
		Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie
		recently set aside £90,000 for the creation of
Market, Antrim Town		of a plan to kick-start this initiative.

The proposals will address traffic congestion, pedestrian access, improving shared public
space and the reinvigoration of the towns commercial heart.

		Mallusk / Glengormley / Carnmoney

		This part of the constituency is often regarded
		as being part of North Belfast, due to the close
		proximity to the M2 and the Antrim Road.

		Like many other places in the constituency
		these areas are experiencing rapid growth and
		large increases in house prices. However local
		local infrastructure and public services have not
Sandyknowes Roundabout		grown at the same rate.

The lack of Translink Metro bus services, bus stops and school buses in some areas is
also a major issue that needs to be addressed.

Enormous levels of traffic congestion at Sandyknowes Roundabout and the recent
closure of the Hightown Road bridge (which crosses the M2 and connects Mallusk to
Glengormley) have caused residents of this area extreme difficulties. This key issue
is very high on the agenda for all locally elected SDLP representatives at every level
of government. The party will be pushing for a temporary bridge, rates relief and free
school buses for local children when the bridge is closed for twelve months in 2008.

		Toome / Randalstown

		The North-West part of the constituency
		contains the towns of Toome and Randalstown.

		Randalstown is very similar to Crumlin and
		residents share many of the same concerns as
		their neighbours i.e. rising house prices, public
		public transport etc. Randalstown also has a
		serious lack of public play areas for children and
Shane's Castle, Randalstown		teenagers.

A major programme of road works is due to take place in the area in the near future,
which will include the upgrade of the A6 between Randalstown and Castledawson to
full dual carriageway status. This will cause some disruption for residents and the local
farming community, but the £80 million investment package will mean a major overhaul of
a very badly congested section of road.

		Templepatrick

		Templepatrick is a village North West of Belfast
		close to the M2 and Belfast - Derry railway line.

		It is a popular residential area and a desirable
		place to live. As a result this village as also
		been experiencing rapid house price rises
		and a degree of overdevelopment.

Hilton Hotel, Templepatrick		Templepatrick park and ride is a great success.

Templepatrick is notorious for the high levels of traffic congestion experienced on the
Antrim Road, the main thoroughfare. The majority of private cars travelling to the
International Airport follow this route. A bypass has been proposed which would bring
traffic directly from the M2 into the airport and avoid the village completely, but this project
has not yet even reached the very early stages.

Residents would also like to see the re-opening of the railway station, which was closed in
1981.

		Ballyclare / Ballynure / Ballyrobert

		The three towns are located towards the
		east of the constituency. They are in the
		Newtownabbey Borough Council Area, as
		opposed to the Antrim Borough Council Area.

		Ballyclare and Ballynure have grown
		significantly in recent times and are a mixture
		of older buildings and new estates. Like other
Ballynure Link Road		towns, they are popular with Belfast commuters.

Ballyrobert is a few miles south of Ballyclare and has become a target for developers
in recent times, with residents claiming overdevelopment and 'garden grabbing' are
in danger of destroying the character of the village.