Regeneration Minister Margaret Ritchie has said it is time to 'unlock the potential' of west Belfast.

Ms Ritchie said the area needs to be better connected with the rest of the city, and has proposed a number of projects under her department's Andersonstown Gateway Feasibility Study.

Plans are afoot to revitalise the Kennedy Way industrial estate through a new road connection to the Boucher Road retail centre, which would open up west Belfast to the rest of the city.

Other proposals outlined by the minister include a landmark public building on the site of the former Andersonstown Police Station; major refurbishment for Kennedy Way, Falls Road and Glen Road; upgrading the frontage of Gransha shops; and the appointment of a master plan team.

Ms Ritchie commissioned the feasibility study a year ago to look at the possibility of creating an economic hub in the area known as the Andersonstown Gateway.

She said: "For too long west Belfast has been seen as some form of separate entity from the rest of the city. The Andersonstown Gateway can help unite the city.

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"It also has great potential in redressing the economic deficit that has been allowed to develop in west Belfast over the past decades. It can unlock economic and social potential locally and create a focus for sustainable economic development in the Andersonstown area."

The Minister continued: "I have already announced my intention to connect West Belfast better with the city centre through the Master Plan for the South West Shopping Quarter.

"This new feasibility study for the Andersonstown Gateway shows the potential that exists to link into the transport system and plug into the economic vibrancy of south Belfast."

Ms Ritchie said she is convinced that, with targeted investment, west Belfast will be able to play its part in the development of the wider economy set out in the Executive's Programme for Government.

For the much debated former site of the Andersonstown Police Station, the feasibility study proposes the creation of a landmark regeneration expo-centre where locals and visitors can see and hear more about regeneration plans and achievements in the west of the city.

Speaking about the future of the Andersonstown Gateway area, the Minister said: "The proposals range from immediate intervention such as environmental improvements and shop facelifts to far-reaching and transformational work."

However, Ms Ritchie said some developments will require legal powers as well as the full commitment of the Executive team.

"My message is this: west Belfast is ready for change and I am ready to be its champion," she said.

The Minister said she would be seeking the Executive's agreement to establish a master plan team to bring the potential of the Andersonstown Gateway into reality.

A master plan would be the first of a number of steps required to secure approval of the necessary changes to land use, bring about new development and provide new infrastructure.

(PR/JM)