New Footpath at Comber Road, Newtownardsxa0welcomed by Jim Shannon MPxa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0
Strangford DUP MP Jim Shannon has been addressing roads issues with the local Roads Services section, and has commenting on a number of issues that have arisen recently that he has acted on.
Mr Shannon has welcomed the footpath repairs for pedestrians at Comber Road, Ards.xa0
He said: This had been a problem for sone time as the footpath had sunken in at least 4 places.xa0 fter intervention from TNI and Manager Stephen Gardiner, the footpath has been levelled.xa0The grass bank has been cut back and the footpath is now back to the width it was in the past.xa0
“Both pedestrians and cyclists have welcomed the work that TNI have done and those who use it on a daily basis are so grateful, they can now walk and cycle without fear of collision or falling, making their walk or cycle much safer.xa0
“Thanks to TNI for all their work.xa0“xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0
Jim Shannon has also called for TNI to carry out repairs to Portaferry Road at Londonderry Park saying: “This stretch of road is showing wear and tear and it is believed that it is where there was water-pipe work done some time ago.xa0
“The road is sinking and especially at the vehicular entrance to Londonderry Park and the deterioration in the road surface is obvious and pronounced.xa0
“The Portaferry Road carries some 18,000 vehicles per day,
“It won’t be long before this stretch of road will deteriorate further.xa0I am calling for TNI to urgently carry out the work to this portion of the Portaferry Road to prevent vehicles with even more damage to tyres, wheel rims and shock absorbers.”
Alderman Naomi Armstrong-Cotter added: “The entrance to the council facility at Londonderry Park is particularly difficult and it is clear that it is not helping cars to come to a smooth halt as people turn in and out.
“The work really needs to be carried out and repairs made to one of the busiest commuter roads in Ards.
Portaferry Road Newtownards footpath improvementsxa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0
Also, Jim Shannon has commended TNI for their footpath improvements at Portaferry Road, Newtownards.xa0
He said: “The hedge from the Flood Gates to Teal Rocks will be removed, the footpath widened and a new wooden fence be erected.xa0xa0
“This is all part of the work that was to be done when the road was resurfaced 2 months ago and a new bus hard stand has been something that has been needed for a long time.xa0
“The footpath widening will be particularly welcome, as the footpath at present is quite narrow due to the hedge growing outward and it just about takes the width of a pram.xa0
“After 11th January the new footpath will be there and safety restored for pedestrians.xa0
“This is all good news for the New Year for the people of Ards and well done to local TNI team for their hard work!”
