Let's talk about removing the peace walls

In 1969, as the first barriers between the Falls and Shankill were being put up, a British general said: "The peace line will be a very, very temporary affair. We will not have a Berlin Wall or anything like that in this city." Over 40 years later, the tragedy is that walls are still there, long after the Berlin Wall has crumbled. Local people wanted the walls to go up because they felt they were unsafe. Unfortunately, many of these same people argue that they would not feel safe without them (Security tight for UVF supergrass hearing, 5 September).

We should not simply resign ourselves to their long-term existence. It is recognised that you cannot simply remove the peace walls. But opinion is changing, as witnessed by the US-Ireland Alliance survey, which showed that than four-fifths of respondents who live near the walls said they wanted the barriers to be ultimately taken down. Belfast council should provide leadership and show the ambition to develop a strategy which will ultimately see the removal of some peace walls, after dialogue with local people.

It is disappointing that some parties believe the time is not right for such a discussion. It appears that some parties in the north are rooted to a strategy of maintaining separate but equal communities. Our ambition in Belfast should be much greater than this. We should challenge prejudice and sectarianism and strive to create the conditions where people can work and live together in peace. The Suffolk and Lenadoon Interface Group in west Belfast has transformed the area. Vandalised flats have been developed into a genuine shared space including shops, an integrated nursery and joint community offices. This development has helped to create jobs, brought new life to the area and restored a sense of hope to a disadvantaged community. Two brave peace-builders in Jean Brown and Renee Crawford were at the heart of the change in Suffolk/Lenadoon. They have proved that when a few people disply courage and leadership, that anything is possible.It's time for Belfast city council to display courage and leadership over the peace walls in Belfast.
Cllr Tim Attwood
Leader, SDLP, Belfast city council