‘We will sort Bow Street problems’

But the UUP’s Alexander Redpath has also said councillors are united in their determination to sort the problems.

Local people have been expressing concerns about the scheme, with one of the main recurring themes being the slippery surface that has been laid.

Previously a spokesperson for Lisburn City Council told the Star the surface had been rigorously tested. However, Councillor Redpath said the contractors have admitted the surface is causing pools of water to form on Bow Street.

“There is no doubt that the public realm works are the number one source of complaints for local councillors,” said Mr Redpath.

“Colleagues have admitted to being reticent about walking down Bow Street as we are inevitably pulled aside by constituents about the progress of the works.

“I want to assure people that the Councillors are totally united in our desire to sort this issue out. At the most recent meeting of the Economic Development Committee our contractors were subjected to the most detailed, prolonged and at times abrasive questioning I have witnessed in my time on Council.

A huge variety of issues were put to the contractors including the progress of works, health and safety concerns and the quality of the works performed.

“My number one concern is the safety of residents in the run up to the winter period. The contractors accept that pools of water are gathering in certain places. As the cold weather sets in this will be a major slipping hazard. We received assurances from the contractor that remedial works to sort this out would be carried out as soon as possible. We cannot afford to ignore the risk of slipping in the city centre as it could seriously deter shoppers over the Christmas period.

“I personally sought assurances about the state of the city centre come the Christmas period. The timetable in place at the minute envisages all works will cease over the month of December with the exception of work on some footpaths on the corner of junctions and in the event space at the centre of Bow Street. Unfettered access to local shops is essential over Christmas. I will continue to put all available pressure on the contractors to have as much work as possible completed by the start of December.

“The committee was also robust in pointing out where we believed the work should be better. A fine example of this is Haslem’s Lane where the grouting was allowed to run and has stained the surface of the works. I will insist that this work is brought up to standard at no additional cost to the council.

“The Council will not give up on this. The committee has called in the contractors for questioning twice in recent months. We are not afraid to do so again and again if it proves necessary.”