Department of Infrastructure blind to ferry impact on village says Hazzard
Sinn Féin South Down MP Chris Hazzard MP has asked the Department for Infrastructure to urgently explore options for improving the well-being of local residents in Strangford “as another summer of chaos commences regarding the ferry.”
Chris Hazzard has been inundated with complaints of congestion, and says it is time the Department “looked at all possible options to improve the wellbeing of residents and local traders who are impacted almost on a daily basis during the summer months.”
Mr Hazzard added:xa0“Another summer, and yet another litany of failures from the Department for Infrastructure to ensure the Strangford Ferry service runs smoothly, and with minimal impact on village life.xa0
“Anger is growing locally at the failure to utilise the queuing system on a regular basis, and instead vehicles are queued right back throughout the village, creating congestion chaos for local residents multiple times each week.xa0
“The ferry offers a vital service for the local community on both sides of the lough, but it should not be allowed to weigh so heavily on the lives of the people who live here.
“There must be a recognition from the Department that something needs to change – we need to see urgent, proactive planning from those responsible as to how this service will run into the future.xa0
“This should include exploring all possible options. This would include from radical options such as relocating the ferry to the outskirts of the village or the purchase of nearby land for a park and ride facility.
“It should include the more obvious solutions such as hiring additional staff to operate the existing queuing facility on a daily basis.xa0
“Either way, something needs to change.
“The Department cannot continue to be blind to the impact of the ferry on the wellbeing of the local community.”
