RESIDENTS in south Belfast have voiced concerns that the historic character of their road will be ruined by the laying of tarmac.
A group of people living on Rugby Road, which has been used as a location for several film shoots, claim the "aesthetic feel" will be lost if flagstones on crumbling footways are replaced.
Workmen moved in earlier this week to replace part of the footpath, which they claim was done "without residents being notified".
The road is home to dozens of Victorian listed properties, some dating back to 1870.
Several churches and other significant buildings including Fitzroy Presbyterian, Union Theological College and Queen's University are located close by.
One resident, Patrick Speight, said "long-term investment" is needed.
"What we have suggested is a strategic investment in lifting up the pavement, re-doing the foundations so that the sub-strata is secure enough to hold the robust flagstones and robust enough for their motorised vehicle to go along to clean," he said.
"But twice, three times a month, you have workmen coming down the road and patching it up - it's a waste of time because they are putting them on foundations that are not fit for purpose.
"Now on Monday, they've gone in and tarmaced without residents being notified.
"The issue is, irresepective if the request had come through, they ought to have replaced it with flagstones because we don't want creeping tarmac coming in."
Mr Speight said the area is "a thoroughfare for tourists who come to Queen's and Botanic Park, but to have wall-to-wall tarmac is just not appropriate for an area of historic importance".
"Rugby Road has been used as a film location - The Fall, Small Island and the film on Mo Mowlam," he said.
"What we would like is a constructive conversation involving the council, DfI (Department for Infrastructure) to have a strategic plan for this area in relation to the aesthetic feel of the place."
The Department for Infrastructure said officials have been engaging with residents with "the aim of reaching consensus on how best to address the poor condition of the footpath".
"To date it has not been possible to reach agreement," a spokeswoman said.
"The residents would understandably prefer replacement of the current flagged footpath but this approach is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain.
"Having received new concerns about the hazard presented to pedestrians by the current state of the footpath, emergency essential repairs of a temporary nature were carried out on Monday 1 July.
"Clearly these were done without re-engaging with residents and local elected representatives and we are very sorry that this happened.
"We will be working to initiate a fresh round of engagement with residents and their representatives to try to reach a point where a resurfacing scheme could progress."
