Mourne’s Sinn Féin Cllr Willie Clarke has again called for a date for the commencement of road safety improvements to be carried out on the North Roundabout in Newcastle. There is an urgent requirement to replace the out-dated zebra crossing with a puffin lights crossing.
Cllr Clarke said: “I have written to Mr Simon Richardson, Divisional Roads DFI manager, seeking a date for the replacement of this dangerous zebra crossing.
“Every week I am contacted in relation to near misses at this location with many involving mothers and young children whose lives are being endangered by motorists driving through the crossing while pedestrians are walking on it.
“This is a very busy junction and action needs to be taken before there is a fatality. The safety concerns have increased following the reconfiguration of the road lay out, the closing of the Slipway, which saw traffic progress through Donard Street, which increased the traffic volumes on the roundabout.”
Cllr Clarke added: “The last discussion I had with DFI Roads Divisional manager Simon Richardson, he gave a commitment that the works would begin in this financial year. Given the serious safety risks, it is important that a date is provided outlining when the scheme will be started.”
