To ask the Minister for Infrastructure for an update on her Department's plans to open the gate at Cherryvale Playing Fields, Belfast, including a timescale for carrying out the relevant works.

I can advise that the opening of the gate at Cherryvale Playing Fields onto the Knockbreda Road is a matter for the Belfast City Council (BCC) as the park is owned by them. Council consider that for safety reasons the gate could not be opened to the public unless a controlled crossing was provided across Knockbreda Road.

To assist, my Department has been developing proposals for a controlled crossing at this location. However, the provision of a controlled crossing will have a significant effect on a number of residents as they will no longer be able to park outside their houses due to the crossing itself and the associated zig zags.

As such, the Department has recently written to BCC to highlight this and ask that they carry out further consultation with directly affected residents and those within the vicinity.

The views expressed during the consultation will be appropriately considered and will inform the way forward in relation to this project.