Mournes Councillor Jil Truesdale hits a brick wall with DfI over hazards on A2 in Newcastle
Alliance Mournes Councillor Jill Truesdale is concerned at the state of the roads in her area and is frustrated by the response from the Department of Infrastructure.
Cllr Truesdale said: “Multi agency approaches are a much more workable way of finding solutions to difficult issues such as the many traffic issues that arise in our area.
“So I have, for the 4th time, sent a request to the Minister for Infrastructure for a raised table at the traffic lights on the South side of the Shimna Road Newcastle blue bridge.
“While this has been turned down four times, I would like to know what DfI would suggest as not once have I received a suggestion other than bumping it over to the PSNI.Â
“The Newcastle road (A2) runs from Clough to Kilkeel, it is a single carriageway for most part, until it reaches Newcastle, at the junction of the Castlewellan/Shimna/Newcastle road, the road changes to a two lane, one-way road as it heads South via Main street, Central/South promenade.
“Likewise, the northbound road changes at the junction of Bryansford road to a 2 lane one way road via the Shimna road.
“All these roads both Southbound and Northbound have the same designation, basically they are the same road all designated as A2.
Cllr Truesdale added that a DfI response said: “Having assessed this location DFI are content that there is no requirement for a raised table at this site, the puffin pedestrian crossing gives the necessary protection for pedestrians who wish to cross Shimna Road.
“The average speed on the main street in Newcastle is a lot slower and there is a considerably heavier amount of pedestrians justifying the need for the raised tables at this site. Traffic calming features, such as ramps, would not be suitable for this type of road, the use of traffic calming deflection is generally restricted to residential streets/ developments/ estates etc.”
She added: “I responded saying: ‘The Shimna Road, at this location, is in the middle of a residential area with houses on both sides of the road (with direct access). This road is the A2, the exact same road and classification as the main street.
“The average speed on the main street is a lot slower because of the traffic calming measures that have already been implemented.‘
“My request was not based on pedestrian numbers but on traffic speed and the associated hazards arising from the same, in addition my initial request had nothing to do with collision history at this location.
“We all have personal responsibility, but sometimes you have to use the stick rather than the carrot with people who wilfully refuse to toe the line and drive sensibly in built up areas.”
