£200,000 for police station make over
Wednesday, 15 October 2008
The main PSNI building on the Ballynure Road Ballyclare get's refurbished SE4225
There had been concerns in the town that services would be downgraded or even the Station being removed completely leaving a town the size of Ballyclare with no station.
A Spokesperson for the PSNI said the station is being refurbished and upgraded to provide more suitable access
and ease of use for the Ballyclare community who use the station and also the police officers who work there .
The work is due to be completed at the end of November, improvements to the station including improved office space, replacement of the and to make it accessible station for the public. Speaking to the Gazette, DPP chairman, was pleased with the refurbishment, Councillor Tom Campbell said: "The refurbishment of Ballyclare station is much needed, indeed it is overdue. The current works, which are near completion, will result in much more user friendly reception area for the public. This will include better facilities, including toilets, for people with disabilities which is very important."
“The people of ballyclare will be pleased to see the heavy security wire fence and the old security Sanger removed and replaced with a more 'normal' perimeter wall. Overall the works will provide a much improved facility for everyone who visits the station as well as for those who will continue to work there."
The spokesperson for PSNI confirmed there are currently no plans to close the station or downgrade any of the services provided services in the town.
Alderman Paul Girven warned the idea of the station closing should never be considered, he said: "Ballyclare is a large town and it warrants a strong police force. With the town continuing to grow and develop, closing the police station is simply not an option.
One source commented the refurbishment process could cost up to £200,000 money that Paul Girven argues could be put to better use, he added: "While it is good to see the police investing in Ballyclare's only police station, there is a case for the money to be used to improve and expand the police presence on the ground.
The general public want to see more police on the ground. Introducing more police in the area and on the streets of Ballyclare would benefit the people of the town much more than the development of the framework of the police station.
There have been cases where the police refurbish a station and then close the building shortly afterwards, if this was to happen to Ballyclare's Police station it would be a mistake."
