Town’s butterflies to take flight

A DUNGANNON councillor has called for the butterfly planters synonymous with the Thomas Street roundabout in Dungannon to remain in the town once redevelopment work on the roundabout begins.

Councillor Clement Cuthbertson raised the issue during a meeting of council’s environment committee where members were discussing plans to redevelop the roundabout.

Redevelopment of the Thomas Street roundabout has been identified as a potential project in the council’s capital framework for 2020-24.

However, members were told in advance of any major redevelopment, preparatory works, at an estimated cost of £20,000 are now required to clear and refresh the existing landscape/structures on the roundabout to address risks associated with the site.

One of the risks is the seasonal butterfly planting at the roundabout. The committee was told it will no longer be feasible as a result of significant traffic management measures that would be required to facilitate it.

Instead of the butterfly, perennial planting in raised beds is now planned for the roundabout and the butterfly will be relocated.

Welcoming the report, Cllr Cuthbertson said it is good to see the progress being made on this redevelopment but called for the planters to remain in Dungannon. “Over the years it has been very attractive with the flowers and the planting and the Christmas decorations. It is disappointing that has to move on as a result of safety issues,” he said.

“One thing I would like to see is that the butterflies stay in the Dungannon area. There are plenty of opportunities in Railway Park, Windmill Wood needs a revamp and Dungannon Park needs a revamp so there are plenty of opportunities in the Dungannon area for the butterflies to stay.”

When asked by the committee’s Chair, Councillor Wesley Brown why the butterflies could not stay on the roundabout, a councillor officer explained the Department for Infrastructure has advised a lane would need to be closed to facilitate maintenance of the planters.

A proposal for members to approve the works to the roundabout and officers to look to rehome the butterfly planters in a suitable location in Dungannon was put forward by Councillor Sharon McAleer and seconded by Councillor Clement Cuthbertson.