‘Inaction’ fears over accident blackspot

‘Inaction’ fears over accident blackspot

23 July 2025

A LOCAL man has raised concerns about the safety of a road between 

Killough and Downpatrick and says he’s amazed no one has been killed.

The area in question is the Killough Road where it bends at its junction with Ballystrew Road on the outskirts of the town.

Ian Wright, who lives about 500 metres from the bend and passes the junction almost every time he leaves home, believes that in the past six months there has been a single vehicle accident on the bend about every three weeks. 

“I’m amazed no one has been killed,” he said.

“About 60 per cent of accidents involve vehicles that are travelling towards Downpatrick and 40 per cent are heading the other way. The cars and lorries involved are normally recovered without the involvement of PSNI or, to my knowledge, any authority.

“I’m therefore assuming that there is no data to indicate exactly how dangerous this bend is.”

The accidents have also led to damage to the network infrastructure, degrading broadband in the area.

“Two poles keep getting hit – a relatively new BT pole was snapped, meaning our broadband was slower for about two weeks until it was repaired,” he said.

Mr Wright is especially concerned about his teenage children as they begin to drive in the area.

“One of my children has been driving for nine months, the other will be soon,” he said.

“I don’t want them to be exposed to the risk of an out of control vehicle colliding with them as they navigate this junction.”

Mr Wright has attempted to report his concerns to the Roads Service through the Department for Infrastructure, as well as Newry, Mourne and Down Council, the district’s Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) and the PSNI, but to no avail. 

He said staff at the government department answer the phone and attempt to put you through to Roads Service “but they never answer”.

He continued: “I rang the Council direct on 0330 137 4000, again the phone wasn’t answered and the PCSP said it wasn’t sure who to report it to but try the Council.

“The PSNI said, ‘It’s not us go to the Council’.”

Mr Wright said “it’s impossibly hard” to voice a concern and there is “complete inaction”.

He said the accidents are simply caused by bad driving – excess speed, lack of awareness and, he believes, inexperienced drivers.

He continued: “I think improvements to the road surface and signage could reduce accidents, and potentially stop someone being killed or seriously injured.”

“I’m not a roads engineer, but I’d assess that so-called rumble strips both sides of the bend, improved warning signage and possibly a better road surface [camber and grip] would reduce the risk of accident at this location.”

Mr Wright added: “What do I need to do to make this happen?”