COUNCILLORS in Belfast have expressed hope that new EU funding for parks in the north of the city could lead to the removal of a peace wall.
Work is underway on a programme called 'Reconnected Belfast' that plans regeneration for Waterworks Park and Alexandra Park area in north Belfast.
A peace wall running through Alexandra Park was built in 1994, with a gate installed in 2011.
Belfast City Council has agreed an application for European funds through the cross-border PeacePlus programme.
Alliance councillor Sam Nelson said of the potential funding: “It represents a really positive opportunity for north Belfast, in two parks I think it is fair to say feel at times unloved.
"It is great to see an attempt to bring a bit of investment and regeneration into those parks.”
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“In terms of Alexandra Park, it is the only park in Europe that has an interface barrier down the middle of it.
"I think this really does represent an opportunity for us to try and start the process of asking how we bring that community together.
"And to start the process of trying to remove what is a scar on our city."
Sinn Féin's Conor Maskey said: “It needs to be dealt with, and dealt with through the support of communities around there.
"They are the only people who will make that happen.
"Some of the ideas in the application are strong, in terms of lessening the impact of that wall.”
