20/11/2025
Alliance Councillor Calls For Removal Of Alexandra Park 'Peace Wall'
Alliance Castle Councillor Sam Nelson has stated that now is the time for Belfast City Council to show leadership and seize the opportunity to remove the so-called 'peace wall' dividing Alexandra Park in North Belfast.
His proposal, calling for the complete removal of the barrier, is set to be discussed by the Council's Strategic Policy and Resources Committee on Friday, 21 November 2025.
Councillor Nelson highlighted the barrier's age, noting it has divided the community for over 30 years—a span longer than the Berlin Wall stood. He described the structure as remaining "like a scar from our troubled past".
The call comes as the area is set to receive €13.5 million (thirteen million, five hundred thousand euros) in PEACEPLUS funding for the Reconnecting Waterworks and Alexandra Park project.
Cllr Nelson warned that the current plans focus only on 'reimaging' the wall rather than seeking its removal. He argued that merely giving division a facelift is not ambitious enough for 2025. "Stopping short of removing the wall entirely would be a massive missed opportunity to show leadership and invest in the kind of community cohesion that creates a truly shared society," he said.
He stressed that the time for action is now, noting there is a clear commitment in the government strategy 'Together: Building a United Community (T:BUC)', overwhelming public and political support, and significant investment coming into the area to make the removal happen.
Councillor Nelson concluded with a personal appeal for a shared future: "I went to the park as a child. I visit it regularly with my own children to this day. Let's remove this scar left over from our troubled past and ensure a new generation of young people can play in a truly shared space for everyone."
His proposal, calling for the complete removal of the barrier, is set to be discussed by the Council's Strategic Policy and Resources Committee on Friday, 21 November 2025.
Councillor Nelson highlighted the barrier's age, noting it has divided the community for over 30 years—a span longer than the Berlin Wall stood. He described the structure as remaining "like a scar from our troubled past".
The call comes as the area is set to receive €13.5 million (thirteen million, five hundred thousand euros) in PEACEPLUS funding for the Reconnecting Waterworks and Alexandra Park project.
He stressed that the time for action is now, noting there is a clear commitment in the government strategy 'Together: Building a United Community (T:BUC)', overwhelming public and political support, and significant investment coming into the area to make the removal happen.
Councillor Nelson concluded with a personal appeal for a shared future: "I went to the park as a child. I visit it regularly with my own children to this day. Let's remove this scar left over from our troubled past and ensure a new generation of young people can play in a truly shared space for everyone."
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