McGrath Calls For Bishops Brae Sight Lines Review

McGrath says sight lines at Bishops Brae need checked

The SDLP’s Colin McGrath MLA has written to the Department for Infrastructure requesting a review of the sight lines at the junction of Bishops Brae and Vianstown Road in Downpatrick.

The South Down MLA said: “One of the things which we have seen in recent weeks has been a massive increase in the volume of traffic that moves along Vianstown Road, given the road closure at Ballydugan Road at the end of the year.

“A long-standing issue, being that of the sight lines at the junction with Bishops Brae, has been reported to my office multiple times by concerned drivers. 

“This is not only from drivers travelling along Vianstown Road, but also those exiting from Bishops Brae.

“The flooding of recent weeks at the end of the year has really brought issues such as this to the surface, and with that, increase in traffic comes an increased risk of collision. 

“Particularly now as we enter the colder months we see road conditions becoming somewhat more complex with the risk of collision increasing. 

“Therefore, there is an immediate need to have a review conducted of the sightlines at this junction.

“There have been too many near misses at this junction, and we must do all that we can to ensure these do not turn into incidents.

“I know the flood response is the top priority for DfI, who are already under major pressure with financial constraints, but this junction does need to be addressed before we see an injury or worse along this road.”