While every effort must be made to preserve what can be demonstrated to be constructions of historical value, any attempt to blatantly intimidate ordinary workers in the centre of Belfast must not be tolerated by the authorities.
A lengthy debate has been conducted over the future of what is known as the Boyne Bridge, which links the loyalist Sandy Row district with the city’s new £340m Grand Central Station.
Some campaigners believe that the bridge should be retained, but other observers are not as convinced about its wider importance, and, after a full review, planning permission was granted for its removal by the Department for Infrastructure more than five years ago.
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Many delays have surrounded the development of Grand Central Station, but bus and train services began operating from there in recent weeks, and the dismantling of the Boyne Bridge to facilitate the last stages of the main transport hub was due to start last weekend.
However, a large threatening sign, carrying the message “Touch This Bridge Beware”, and accompanied by a crosshair symbol, Union flags and red, white and blue bunting, was then placed on the adjoining road under cover of darkness.
There were fears that the scheme might not be able to immediately proceed, but, as we reported, uniformed officers from the PSNI’s Tactical Support Group moved in on Monday morning and took down the sinister display.
There will be a widespread welcome for the direct intervention, which was followed by a police statement confirming that they were investigating a potential public order offence and seeking information from the public.
It will be noted that when provocative symbols and emblems have appeared elsewhere in the recent past, police have often been reluctant to become involved and indicated that the responsibility for addressing related matters lay with other agencies, so a firmer approach is completely justified.
The existing structure over the Blackstaff river was built in 1936, replacing an older one dating back to 1863, with suggestions based on folklore that King William may have crossed a previous bridge there on his way to the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.
It will be noted that when provocative symbols and emblems have appeared elsewhere in the recent past, police have often been reluctant to become involved and indicated that the responsibility for addressing related matters lay with other agencies, so a firmer approach is completely justified
A detailed account of his march from Carrickfergus Castle to Co Meath on the Museum of Orange Heritage’s website makes no reference to such an episode, while describing Belfast as a settlement then confined to five streets, and links between the era and the present bridge appear tenuous.
It is appropriate that Translink has committed to repurposing “key elements of the bridge for significant artworks”, and it will be expected that the much-needed Grand Central Station scheme can now be finally completed.
