Our Changed Place Response

In response to the #OurChangedPlaceNI initiative during the first lockdown in April 2020, we proposed a temporary closure of part of the Ormeau Road.

We felt this would help with social distancing, and would help local businesses by providing more space for their customers at a time when car traffic was low.

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We distributed 5,000 leaflets to encourage as many residents as possible to share their voice. We also shared survey links on our social media and through local partner organisations.

63% of the 995 people who responded to the survey were supportive of the idea.

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Nearly 80% of people who responded to us online were also positive about the proposal.

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However, many businesses and residents had concerns about vehicle access and anti-social behaviour. This meant despite adjustments to the proposal (covered here in Belfast Live)  the idea had to be postponed for now.

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Even though we did not achieve our goal, this was the project that brought us together as a group. More than 240 people got in touch to volunteer with future projects and we continue to come together to think of fun and creative ways to brighten up our area.