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The Central Committee of the Ulster Bands Association welcome the
announcement by the Regional Development Minister Mr Peter Robinson that
the Toome bypass, on the main Belfast to Londonderry road, has been given
the go ahead.
Although the reason for the construction of the bypass is to ease traffic
congestion, the many marching bands who regularly have to travel through
the village of Toome will be glad to know that the gauntlet of sectarian
hatred they have had to run, will finally end.
Likewise, we are sure that those bus/coach companies and their drivers,
who have taken the brunt of any violence, will also breathe a sigh of
relief, even though the work will not begin to next year.
For years Toome has been known as a 'hot-spot' and marching bands
travelling to and from parades have been attacked by bottles and bricks
for no other reason than being Protestants.
A prime example occurred only last September, when members of a band
travelling home had a lucky escape after several bricks and other objects
were thrown at their bus, smashing two windows.
The end result of this vicious attack saw two passengers treated in the
Mid Ulster Hospital, while several others suffered from shock for days
after.
The Ulster Bands Association hope and pray that with the completion of the
bypass, our members will be able to express their culture without fear of
intimidation or violence.
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