Road beside controversial works in Sandy Row to be renamed after Boyne Bridge

A section of road beside a controversial public realm work on a bridge in the Sandy Row area of Belfast is to be renamed after a campaign by residents.

Elected representatives at a Belfast City Council committee meeting have decided on a vote to rename a section of Durham Street between Glengall Street and Hope Street to “Boyne Bridge Place.” This will go for ratification at next month’s full council meeting.

The decision at City Hall came on Tuesday evening (November 5) at the same time as a protest was held of around 200 people in Sandy Row in Belfast. Protestors there were raising a variety of concerns, including their unhappiness at the dismantling of the Boyne Bridge, as well as broader issues in the area such as a lack of social housing and plans for student accommodation.

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The bridge is being dismantled as part of the development of the area around the new Grand Central Station.

The original bridge at the site is believed to have been built in 1611, over what was known as the Blackstaff River, and was replaced in 1642 by the Great Bridge of Belfast, later known as the Saltwater Bridge.

King William of Orange is said to have crossed the old bridge in June 1690 on his way to the Boyne, while King James II is also thought to have retreated along the same path. The modern Boyne Bridge was constructed in the 1930s around the remains of the previous crossings.

The council’s People and Communities Committee received the request from the Blackstaff Resident’s Association, and was backed by local DUP politicians Councillor Tracy Brooks, Edwin Poots MLA, and Court district TUV Councillor Ron McDowell.

The letter from political representatives states: “As you are aware planning approval has been given for the current Boyne Bridge to be demolished, this decision was made in 2019 and was very upsetting for the local Sandy Row community who fought hard to try and save the bridge.

“To put into context this section of the Durham Street where the bridge is currently situated, was always known as Sandy Row to the local community, residents were aghast when they were advised by Translink that it is in fact on Belfast maps as Durham Street.

“The street name “Boyne Bridge Place” would ensure that the historical significance of the Boyne Bridge would be acknowledged and in some way ensure that culture and history of this landmark would be recognised.

“The renaming of this section of Durham Street would never replace the Boyne Bridge, but it would go a long way in recognition to those who have fought so hard to try and save it from being demolished.”

A council report states: “In line with the street naming policy any request for the renaming of a street must consider the impact on occupiers who reside on the street and who would be affected by the subsequent change to their address.

"The policy indicates that any application/request for re-naming of a street should be accompanied by an initial petition of not less than one third of residents of the street showing a positive interest in changing the street name.

“Following a review of the section of road being considered, the Building Control Service has concluded that there are no residents who occupy this part of Durham Street and who would be affected by this name change, including the businesses which have access from Durham Street. Therefore, no petition is possible in the specific circumstances of this request.

“In addition, the policy requires two thirds of the residents of the street who appear on the electoral list to be in support of the renaming. No survey has been carried out as indicated by the policy as there are no residents residing in this portion of the street and who would be affected by this proposal.”

During the meeting of the People and Communities Committee, Sinn Féin unsuccessfully proposed having an equality impact assessment before any decision was made on renaming the section of Durham Street.

Sinn Féin Councillor Conor Maskey said: “We are not opposed at this point in time to the proposal to change the name. I can think of a proliferation of sites in the city that give a nod to either British wars or British generals.

“I grew up in Ponsonby Avenue, which gave a nod to a former Privy Council member. Our own party office is on Sevastopol Street, a nod to a battle in the Crimean War.”

He added: “All we are looking to do is defer this for an EQIA to look at the issue of renaming streets in the context of equality, and see what comes back. I won’t die in a ditch against this, but we do believe there is a context here.”

SDLP Councillor Gary McKeown said: “We are not opposing it at this juncture but we do believe there needs to be further consideration of it. I have to say, as an elected representative to the area, I was disappointed, as the first I have heard of this is when I saw the papers this evening for this meeting.

“I stand to be corrected, but it does appear only unionist representatives were engaged in the process leading up to this proposal being admitted, which is unfortunate. This (area) is adjacent to Grand Central Station and Saltwater Square, which is a shared space.

“So in my view there should be a shared approach to a proposal such as this. I do appreciate the community’s view who live adjacent to it, I also appreciate the historical basis for it. But I think we need to be more inclusive in the process around naming spaces like this, especially shared spaces.”

DUP Councillor Sarah Bunting proposed going ahead with a decision to name the area Boyne Bridge Place without deferment for an equality assessment. As this was an amendment to the original Sinn Féin proposal, it was held first on a vote.

It passed with 10 votes in favour from the DUP, Alliance, and the Greens to seven votes against the proposal from Sinn Féin and the DUP.

Councillor Bunting said: “This is a really contentious issue in that area at present, and I know that Councillor Tracy Kelly has dealt with an awful lot of abuse over this. As the councillor that lives in the area, she has felt this personally, and I have seen the effect it has had on her. It is really disappointing she has had to deal with that too.

Councillor Gary McKeown said: “I am sure this committee would be in agreement that it is completely unacceptable if Councillor Kelly is facing abuse or any other unfortunate communication. Everybody around this council chamber is trying to do the best that they can.

“I want to place on record this committee’s concern, and our thoughts are with Tracy if she is facing that kind of abuse. And I hope that the people who are responsible for it will think again.”

Councillor Maskey said he “100 percent agreed” with Councillor McKeown. He asked for a council officer report looking at a process for future similar scenarios in which a section of a street is to be renamed.

DUP Councillor Tracy Kelly thanked Councillors McKeown and Maskey for their “kind words. She added: “It hasn’t been an easy five months in my constituency, and it has been very difficult for the Sandy Row community, with the loss of the Boyne Bridge.”

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