Fisheries staff given insufficient time to prepare for safe return of angling: MLA
THE decision to lift lockdown restrictions on angling has raised health and safety concerns.
The Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), Edwin Poots, confirmed yesterday that the Public Angling Estate (PAE) will gradually reopen to local anglers from Monday as part of the easing of Covid-19 lockdown regulations.
There are 30 PAES across Northern Ireland but anglers have been encouraged to use facilities local to them and not to travel long distances.
Parking facilities will also remain closed until May 27.
Alliance’s South Antrim MLA John Blair expressed concerns over the decision, saying it “came out of the blue” and has left “major questions” over health and safety.
Welcoming the reopening of fisheries, the chairman of the Ulster Angling Federation, Gary Houston, explained that the organisation had made representations to Mr Poots as to how they would safely reintroduce fishing.
“We are delighted that the Minister has stepped forward,” he said.
“We put a plan to him of how we would reopen angling safely under the present difficulties.
“We wouldn’t be asking for it to be reopened if we didn’t think it would be safe. Angling is usually a solitary sport anyway so people aren’t really together.
“We will be putting out guidance to clubs and individual anglers telling them to carry hand sanitiser just like you would be if you’re going into a shop.”
Mr Blair felt fisheries staff in DAERA have been given insufficient time to prepare for the return of angling.
“Pathways, slipways, stiles and fishing stands at angling locations will need to be inspected and cleaned, giving just a weekend for this to be done across Northern Ireland before they are open to the public again,” he stated.
“Online sales of legally required angling licences has also been suspended, and therefore clarification on this is urgently required.”
A NEW scheme to create larger spaces for pedestrians in Belfast has been welcomed by the Royal Society of Ulster Architects (RSUA).
Yesterday Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon announced the pedestrianisation of streets in the city’s Cathedral Quarter on a trialled basis.
It is part of the Minister’s latest green initiative.
The first phase of widening pavements is also to begin in the Linen Quarter to aid social distancing.
And public spaces on Londonderry’s waterfront will be extended.
The project is one of a range of initiatives to encourage walking and cycling as the Government urges people not to use public transport in order to battle the spread of Covid-19.
Footways on Linenhall Street from May Street to Ormeau Avenue, along with Bedford Street from Clarence Street to Ormeau Avenue, are just some of the areas to be included in the new scheme.
Joan Mccoy president of RSUA, said it was a small but tangible step in acknowledging that “for society to function better over the coming weeks, months and perhaps years, our physical environment must change extensively”.
“In the very shortterm, as increasing numbers of people return to their workplace, it is not enough to encourage people to walk, run or cycle to work,” Ms Mccoy argued.
“The Government must create safe space to enable this whilst maintaining full access for people with impaired mobility.
“Covid-19 is affecting everyone and therefore the conversation on the changes to our physical environment is one that everyone in society should be involved in. “To get the ball rolling, RSUA has launched an initiative called #Ourchangedplaceni.
“We are calling on anyone who is interested to post on social media your ideas of the changes you would like to see to your area during this Covid-19 period using the hashtag #Ourchangedplaceni.” She added: “Ideas can be presented as words, drawings or photos... feel free to tag your local councillors, MLAS, Department for Infrastructure or whoever you think should be listening.”