Independent Newry Mourne and Down District Councillor Patrick Clarke has welcomed a written ministerial response received from the DRD Transport Minister following his request seeking a cycleway lane on the A50 main route between Newcastle and Castlewellan.
Cllr Clarke said: “I have made written representations to the DRD Transport Minister urging him to further investigate the provision of a dedicated cycleway lane between Newcastle and Castlewellan along the main A50 road route between both towns.
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Councillor Patrick Clarke.[/caption]
“I informed the DRD Transport Minister that cyclists had expressed serious concern for their own safety when cycling between these tows particularly during the weekends and summer when there is an increased volume of traffic.
“DRD Minister Danny Kennedy has responded to me advising that his officials have reviewed the feasibility of such a proposal along the A50 route between Newcastle and Castlewellan, taking into account many factors including potential scheme costs, existing road geometry and, the history and relevance of injury collisions.”
“The Minister has informed me that it has been determined that the scale of the works required, that is, the construction of 5.6km (3.5miles) of cycleway, merits further consideration, and my request has now been added to a pool of similar requests competing for inclusion in a future programme of works.
“I am pleased that Minister Kennedy has now given a commitment to include the A50 cycle cycleway lane on the A50 main route between Newcastle and Castlewellan in the DRD Works Programme and has informed his officials to bring forward a suitable scheme subject to more monies being forthcoming.”
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