IT'S the end of an era in north Belfast as demolition takes place on some of the longest streets in the city.
Builders have begun pulling down homes in the Upper Long Streets, in the New Lodge area, as part of a redevelopment scheme.
Work on the lower part of Long Streets has already been completed.
The area survived the blitz in 1941 but all of the 178 older properties in Lepper Street, Stratheden Street, Spamount Street, Upper Meadow Street and Hillman Street are now being demolished, to be replaced by 89 new homes by Apex Housing Association.
The work will be carried out in phases, with building on the second stage of homes expected to begin next year and all properties to be completed by the end of the decade.
Irish News photographer and New Lodge man Hugh Russell said the demolitions mark a "sad day" for the area.
Mr Russell said: "The Long Streets would have been some of the longest streets in north Belfast. Way back in the 1960s the likes of Hillman Street would have been heavily populated with both Catholics and Protestants.
"It is a sad day, when you think of the history, the families that came out of it. You used to be able to run door to door between homes but people just don't live in these types of houses any more."
