STRABANE FINALLY GETS A BREAK

The £50 Million Strabane Three Rivers Project which has the potential to create up to 1700 jobs has today been given the green light by the SDLP Minister for the Environment, Mark H Durkan.

Welcoming this very exciting announcement, West Tyrone SDLP MLA Joe Byrne said; "Today's news signals the beginning of a very significant development for the people of Strabane and the wider District Area in terms of both Job creation and investment opportunities.  I am delighted that planning approval has been given on this Golden opportunity for Strabane by the SDLP DOE Minister Mark H Durkan, who has listened to the wishes and requests of the Strabane Community who wanted to see this comprehensive development project proceed with strong approval by all the statutory agencies involved."

"A significant Economic Development project of this scale in Strabane has been long overdue for some years. As the SDLP MLA for Strabane, It is my hope that this planning approval for the Three Rivers project will help kick start many other proposed development opportunities which are greatly needed to create jobs and bring further investment for Strabane and its people. Since being re-elected as the SDLP MLA for this area in 2011 my team and I have continually pushed for the approval of this development and lobbied extensively both Minister Attwood and the current Minister Mark H Durkan to grant a favourable decision for this comprehensively and potentially life changing scheme."

"Job creation and investment for the Strabane District is a key priority for the SDLP and will remain at the top of our agenda moving forward. My SDLP team and I feel strongly about the very high levels of unemployment in Strabane, especially within our younger generations who have had to emigrate in the hope of finding employment. For those people this project has the potential to provide job opportunities and generate more local spending power which can enhance Strabane as a regional town in terms of both retail and tourist related opportunities."

"I would like to take this opportunity to also commend the private developer's behind the three rivers project for their perseverance and dedication in pursuing and addressing all of the requirements of statutory authorities in order to make this project a reality. There were issues relating to the DRD Roads Service and DARD Rivers Agency which had to be addressed as well as environmental matters in order to secure final approval.  Project Spokesperson Mr Niall McAteer and his professional team have had numerous meetings with me, including a number of ministerial meetings in order to address all of the issues relating to this significant and exciting project. It has been a difficult process getting to where we are today, but one I hope will prove worthwhile and beneficial to the people living in and visiting the Strabane and Lifford areas."

ENDS

Byrne Welcomes sale of Historic Mill Site

SDLP MLA Joe Byrne has today welcomed the news that a local investor has purchased the Herdsman's Mills site following months of uncertainty and controversy surrounding its future.

Welcoming the news Mr Byrne said: "This is a very positive announcement for the residents of Sion Mills, Strabane District and entire Northwest. Herdsman's Site, at the heart of the beautiful village of Sion Mills, has always had a very attractive tourism potential. The Mills cultural and industrial heritage could now become a major regeneration project for the Strabane District over the next few years."

"It is very exciting to learn of the new owners plans for Herdsman's as a mixed use development project, attracting tourism, further investment and job opportunities for its industrial heritage, business units and recreational facilities. Sion Mills offers significant development opportunity with potential Government investment and support throughout the village. The recently restored Sion Stable Block is solid proof of the impact of built heritage rejuvenation and the benefits it has to the local area." 

"I would also like to congratulate the Sion Mills Steering group on their successful and hard fought campaign against the proposed anaerobic digestor planned by the previous owner. This is indeed a time for celebration in Sion Mills, as we set our sights on what sounds like a very positive and exciting future development."

"I wish the new local owner the very best of luck and support for the future."

Byrne: Leadership essential following suspension of Talks

SDLP West Tyrone MLA and Talks Negotiator Joe Byrne has expressed his disappointment following the withdrawal of Unionist parties from the Talks aimed at finding a resolution to flags, parading and the Past.

“This was a time when good leadership was essential and this is what the SDLP was trying to provide in the talks room.

“It is imperative that community leaders now remain calm and move to ease tensions wherever they arise. The coming days and weeks will undoubtedly see anger but we must all seek to address that in a mature way.

“All parties now need to get back in the room and reengage in dialogue; this is the only way of making progress. We were making some progress and the SDLP are convinced that resolution to all of the issues that are on the table is possible. No party or community should be allowed to derail this that has the potential to resolve the outstanding challenges we face.

“This is a time for cool heads. If the last 40 years has taught us anything, it is that you can make all the threats you like, you can destabilise what you like but at the end of the day you have to come back to the institutions. We need the institutions to hold our community together.

“The public are streets ahead of some of their politicians. They want to see the talks make progress and move our society into prosperity. It is our duty to help deliver for them”

ENDS

Byrne quizzes minister on investment for Strabane

SDLP West Tyrone MLA Joe Byrne has spoken during an adjournment debate at Stormont on Invest NI’s strategy for Strabane and said that “until the people of Strabane see jobs in the 40-acre park, they will not feel that they have been listened to”.

The assemblyman stated: “Strabane is an area t

hat has suffered from high unemployment for decades, and anything that can help to improve employment opportunities for the area needs to be addressed. The Business Park will be welcomed, but only if it can be used to attract investment to the area.”

“We have the North West College facility in Strabane, and other local training organisations like CRAFT,” said Mr. Byrne. “We have the facilities locally to skill potential employees, but Strabane needs inward investment to address the historical unemployment issue

.  People need job opportunities.”

Mr Byrne praised local companies that employed local people and paid tribute to employers that “have invested heavily in the area including organisations such as O'Neill sportswear, which more than 400 people; Frylite, which employs more than 120 people; McColgan's foods; and Allstate insurance, with over 500 employees”.

Mr. Byrne concluded: “Strabane is a border town that has suffered government neglect for a long time.  It has been famous for the wrong reasons. I hope that the Executive and the Assembly can do something positive and invest in the young people of Strabane.”

LEONARD TO SUCCEED CONWAY AS NEW SDLP PARK CANDIDATE

The SDLP have today announced that long serving SDLP Councillor for Park, Thomas Conway will not contest the upcoming Strabane/Derry super election on May 22nd but will remain as an SDLP Councillor until 2015. Mr Patrick Leonard has been selected to replace Councillor Conway as the successful candidate for the election in three weeks' time with the full endorsement of Thomas as his selected candidate.

Speaking on his selection Mr Leonard said: "It is a great honour to be selected as the SDLP candidate to succeed Cllr Thomas Conway in the upcoming Strabane/Derry super council elections. Cllr Conway has been a dedicated public representative with a strong record of outstanding public service and commitment to the people of Park and the SDLP since his election in 2001.  His shoes will be hard to fill, but with his support I will do my absolute best to continue to offer a strong voice to the people of Park, delivering on the issues which matter most. Thomas has been a pillar within the local community delivering for all local people and will be sorely missed when he leaves the council chamber for the last time in 2015."

Speaking on Mr Leonards selection Cllr Conway said: "I am delighted to endorse and fully support Patrick Leonard as the new SDLP candidate for Park. Patrick is very much a man of strong family values, married with two children to Grainne Hume, daughter, the niece of former SDLP leader John Hume.  I know Patrick will do all in his power to deliver locally for the people of Park and serve them wholeheartedly with professional courage, dedication and commitment. I will do all in my power to ensure his election as an SDLP Councillor on May 22nd for the people of Park and ask that you support Patrick now and in the weeks ahead."

"I have had an incredible time representing the people of Park since 2001, but the time has come to try something new. I will of course be with Patrick Leonard every step of the way, offering support and advice when needed."

 "I wish the new council well for the future and urge a solid commitment to ensure a healthy, democratic local government for all our people."

LEONARD TO SUCCEED CONWAY AS NEW SDLP PARK CANDIDATE

The SDLP have announced that long serving SDLP Councillor for Park, Thomas Conway will not contest the upcoming Strabane/Derry super election on May 22nd but will remain as an SDLP Councillor until 2015. Mr Patrick Leonard has been selected to replace Councillor Conway as the successful candidate for the election in three weeks' time with the full endorsement of Thomas as his selected candidate.

Speaking on his selection Mr Leonard said: "It is a great honour to be selected as the SDLP candidate to succeed Cllr Thomas Conway in the upcoming Strabane/Derry super council elections. Cllr Conway has been a dedicated public representative with a strong record of outstanding public service and commitment to the people of Park and the SDLP since his election in 2001.  His shoes will be hard to fill, but with his support I will do my absolute best to continue to offer a strong voice to the people of Park, delivering on the issues which matter most. Thomas has been a pillar within the local community delivering for all local people and will be sorely missed when he leaves the council chamber for the last time in 2015."

Speaking on Mr Leonards selection Cllr Conway said: "I am delighted to endorse and fully support Patrick Leonard as the new SDLP candidate for Park. Patrick is very much a man of strong family values, married with two children to Grainne Hume, daughter, the niece of former SDLP leader John Hume.  I know Patrick will do all in his power to deliver locally for the people of Park and serve them wholeheartedly with professional courage, dedication and commitment. I will do all in my power to ensure his election as an SDLP Councillor on May 22^nd for the people of Park and ask that you support Patrick now and in the weeks ahead."

"I have had an incredible time representing the people of Park since 2001, but the time has come to try something new. I will of course be with Patrick Leonard every step of the way, offering support and advice when needed."

 "I wish the new council well for the future and urge a solid commitment to ensure a healthy, democratic local government for all our people."

SDLP supports call for 20mph urban speed limit

SDLP Strabane candidates has supported the Go 20 campaign by the road safety charity Brake and Allianz Insurance to make 20mph the default urban speed limit - and joins eight in 10 people (78%) across the UK who believe 20mph should be the norm around schools, on residential streets, and in village, town and city centres.

SDLP Sperrin candidate Liam Stewart said: "I am delighted to support this important campaign - and would urge drivers across the Strabane district and throughout the North to protect people right away, by slowing down to 20mph around homes, schools and shops, even where the limit is still 30mph.

"20mph limits not only help make streets safer and more pleasant for walking and cycling, but also promise to deliver improvements in public health via reductions in congestion, pollution and noise."

Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive, Brake, said: "The GO 20 campaign is about defending everyone's right to walk and cycle freely without being endangered, whether it's to get to work, school, the shops, or just getting out and being active.

SDLP Derg candidate Jim McIntyre said: "We need to tackle the senseless and violent casualties that continue to happen daily on our roads, and we need to enable people to live healthy, active, social lives. It's clear that 20mph limits in communities like Strabane can help bring this about and it's clear this is what people want. That's why so many local authorities are making the switch from 30mph to 20mph. With many people already reaping the benefits of living in 20mph areas, we're reaching a point where it makes no sense to retain 30mph as the default limit in built-up areas. It's time for the government to GO 20 nationally, to save councils money and help create safe, active, happy communities."