Councillor Cadogan Enright has welcomed the re-siting of the proposed park and ride on the Belfast Road in Downpatrick. The announcement was made by Department of Infrastructure personnel at the most recent Downpatrick Electoral Area forum meeting.
The new site is to be between the Down Business Park and the Belfast Road.
Councillor Enright said: “This was the only good bit of news to come out of the DEA meeting. The original proposal for 50 parking spaces beside the petrol station on the Belfast roundabout was obviously inadequate, and I had made repeated representations on this. Translink management were of a similar view. The Department of the Environment would not allow a bigger site on the wetlands facing the Mound of Down.
“The new Park and Ride would mean that commuters coming in from the Strangford side of Downpatrick will not have to drive into Downpatrick as at present to catch the 215 express and other services. The Department for Infrastructure has taken far too long to progress this long-overdue proposal from the Downpatrick Masterplan. It should have been in place several years ago given the level of congestion in the town.
“Aside from this announcement, the bad news is that DfI were dismissive of other long-promised initiatives in the Downpatrick area. The Edward Street one way system is no longer a short-term project that will replicate the successful three week trial of a number of years ago, but is now termed as ‘needing significant investment’. Since Downpatrick has not been deemed a ‘priority’ this investment will not be made any time soon.
“Similarly the one-way system around the Police Station from Irish Street to Saint Patrick’s avenue is estimated to be £3.5 million. But as Downpatrick has not been deemed to be a priority this long-promised project will not be progressing either. Nor will Downpatrick’s’ Southern Relief Road from the Ballydugan Road and out the back of the cinema to the Vianstown Road and Killough road be progressed either.
“The two big parties on Council have made it clear to DfI’s Roads personnel where their priorities lie. Sinn Féin and the SDLP have highlighted Newry’s Southern Relief Road and Narrow Water Bridge as the overall priorities. Downpatrick does not get a look in. The only saving grace in East Down is that the Ballynahinch by-pass is too far advanced to be sacrificed to the priority needs of the Newry end of this Council area.”
