Killyleagh Road Improvements Welcomed By Councillor Walker

A spokesperson for the DRD Roads Service said: “To facilitate the resurfacing of the Downpatrick Road, Killyleagh, and the repair of an embankment on the Killyleagh Road, Downpatrick, a road closure has been put in place on the A22 Downpatrick Road, Killyleagh and A22 Killyleagh Road, Downpatrick, (which is the same road), from 20 May to 7 June 2013.  An alternative diversion route for traffic is signposted.”

[caption id="attachment_35089" align="alignleft" width="270"] Rowallene Councillor Billy Walker has welcomed the start of essential roadworks on the A22 Downpatrick-Killyleagh Road.[/caption] Rowallene DUP Councillor  Billy Walker said: “The ongoing roadworks are an absolute necessity. I campaigned the Roads Service for some time and they eventually not only put this on their list of projects to do but also found the funding in these difficult economic times to complete the job.

“The first phase of the roadworks is at the Downpatrick side on the Killyleagh Road. This will be followed by more works down to the Toye on the Comber Road. It will involved re-surfacing the road which has become very poor in places with pot holes and areas bellying out causing deep puddles of rain to lie creating traffic hazzards. Drivers from Downpatrick should stick to the diversion through Crossgar.

“The temporary closure is until 7 June so I just ask everyone to grin and bare this. Delays due to diversions should not be more that 15 minutes. The works are being carried out between the U347 Inismore Road, Killyleagh and the C280 Finnebrogue Road Downpatrick.

“There was a culvert damaged on the Shore Road at Killyleagh because of heavy traffic and this caused flooding and inconvenience to local people. Part of the problem was that heavy traffic was using the Shore Road and causing stress on the culverts.

“I would therefore urge all drivers to head the diversion signs and stick to the set route for safety as well as traffic flow reasons. Heavy traffic needs to avoid the Shore Road.

“The Roads Service have to be commended for getting on with these road repairs. It will mean some minor disruption for travellers. But some people may be nevertheless unhappy but I would say that the Roads Service is damned if they were not to do the repairs and damned when they carry them out.

“I am therefore delighted that these essential road repairs are being carried out, and given this is the first real break in bad weather for many months, it is a good time for the Roads Service to action this.”

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