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I think that's valid for some areas but not as a wider point for the city. The areas that have benefited from investment and public realm works are significantly better than what existed prior to such work.Perhaps I'm being over critical, but in my lifetime I don't think I've ever seen our city centre streets and the general urban fabric in such a terrible state of disrepair.
The delay with Streets Ahead Phase 3 is very annoying but can't be helped given a minister wasn't in place to sign off on funds. I do expect that to be back on the agenda over the coming 6 months. Work has been on-going through in the background on renewal projects for the Linen Quarter and Shaftesbury so it's not as if they have been forgotten. The issue is funding and having an Executive in place to make decisions.
Belfast CC, as with all councils, have not had regeneration powers devolved from Dept. Communities as they were meant to as part of the council reforms. DfC Minister refused to let the powers go at the time, hopefully the new Minister will move forward with that.