A local Sinn Fein MLA and Down District Councillor have met with the DRD Roads Service officials today about the increasing traffic disruption in Downpatrick town centre.
The congestion which has been caused following the closure of Fountain Street which is currently being resurfaced. This has caused serious traffic problems for drivers since work began on Monday. With the works expected to take up to three weeks to complete, local Sinn Fein representatives have said the situation is not feasible and changes must me made “immediaty.”
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Fountain Street closes for repairs and traffic chaos emerges in Downpatrick.[/caption]
Downpatrick area Councillor Naomi Bailie organised the meeting with officials and said: “The traffic through town has almost come to a standstill at periods since Monday morning. It is without doubt the worst I’ve seen in the town and a reminder that Downpatrick congestion and traffic difficulties are a priority issue which increasingly warrants our attention.
“Fountain street is a strategically important road in the local network so I am disappointed that Roads Service don’t appreciate to have had any plans in place to alleviate traffic disruption, should it have arisen, which it has. I contacted officials on Monday and suggested that a simple rescheduling of lights at certain junctions in the town would at least help to get traffic flowing. I’m pleased that they have agreed to implement this and today we see a slight improvement in the general flow. I have insisted that Roads Service continue to monitor the situation, particularly at busier and peak times during the coming weeks.
“Officials have confirmed that they hope to have work finished by the end of next week and I’ve asked that there is a specific push on completing this scheme given the clear impact it’s having on computing through town.”
South Down MLA Chris Hazzard said: “I would thank roads officials for agreeing to meet with myself and Cllr Bailie here today given the short notice.
“I’m pleased to learn that measures will now be put in place to ease the congestion but the town will remain largely affected at peak times over the coming two weeks. There is no simple way out if this situation. I have raised the issue of traffic congestion with the Minister on many occasions in the past.
“The last few days have once again highlighted the urgent need for a programme of strategic road works to take place across Downpatrick to resolve traffic flow and congestion problems once and for all. This situation cannot continue. Minor works are required on network link roads in the area.
“Schemes like the St.Patricks Avenue to Irish Street like road are presently being held up in the town. Only last week I had to write to the Minister for Justice on this matter. It’s time for the DRD Minister to intervene to see that priority schemes like this are progressed and no longer put on the long finger,” added Mr Hazzard.
Mark Murphy who runs Murphy’s Stores in Fountain Street said: “This has just been a nightmare. I was handed a letter and work began next day. Delivery men have not been able to get to my shop and I even had no meat delivery yesterday. I know of a next door neighbour who had to walk over broken ground for some distance to get to his transport to get to hospital. He just was not fit for that. There is just no consideration to local residents and business people in this town at all. Something has to change and fast.”
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