SDLP Cllr Brian Tierney
Speaking after proposing that a barrier be installed at the carpark Councillor Tierney said “Most of the residents in William Street have been living there for 30-40 years and most of them were allocated homes in William Street from the Rossivile flats, so these people have put up with some of our city’s darkest days on their front door step and have endured an awful lot in their life time.
“I know most of these people personally and it’s taken a lot to get them to this stage today where they felt they had no other option than to protest outside our Council meeting seeking help with the current ASB issues they are facing nightly outside their homes.
“The SDLP have spoken to the next of kin of an 84-year-old woman who has lived in the William Street area for the best part of her life and is now a resident in William Street care home.
“Her bedroom faces onto the carpark and she has told me how she is struggling to get to sleep at night because of the noise outside.
“I’ve spoken to a mother of 5 young children, 1 of whom is primary 6 and is preparing to sit the transfer test next year, this young lad is not getting to sleep at night until the early hours of the morning and it is affecting his school work.
“Another one of her children was going to the local shop on his skateboard and one of the cars drove over his skateboard and broke it.
“When approached by his mother, after giving her a mouthful of verbal abuse the driver said he drove over the skateboard because it got in his way, isn’t it lucky the young boy wasn’t on it at time.
“Another resident I’ve spoken to who’s landing window faces the carpark.
“She believes that when the landing light goes on the people gathered know she is going to bed and the noise gets worse.
“She now goes to bed without putting the light on and last Friday night fell at the top of the stairs and hurt herself.
“That’s only some of the accounts we have heard from residents about the issues they are facing because of people gathering in the William Street carpark.
“We have also heard from family members of eardly residents with serious medical conditions about how this lack of sleep is affecting their health and wellbeing.
“The residents in William Street will now thankfully have some peace of mind knowing that their views have been heard, taken on board and a barrier will be installed as a matter of urgency.
“I spoke to many of the residents after the decision was taken and they are delighted with the outcome” councillor Tierney added
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