Appeal over road widening scheme

Appeal over road widening scheme

25 May 2016

ROADS officials have been urged to deliver a proposed scheme to widen a section of one of the district’s busiest roads.

Councillor Robert Burgess said he is disappointed plans to widen a section of the busy A7 between Doran’s Rock and the entrance to Rowallane Garden outside Saintfield have not made significant progress since the scheme was outlined almost two decades ago.

Transport NI officials confirmed during a special briefing with local politicians on Monday night that work on an environmental assessment of the impact of the 1.6km road widening scheme on the main Crossgar to Saintfield road is due to be completed shortly.

They also confirmed that land required to facilitate the scheme, which includes new drainage and two bus lay-bys, will be required and that a vesting process will almost certainly be required.

Councillors were told on Monday that the next stage of the scheme, which has yet to be fully costed, includes taking the proposal through required statutory processes. Most significantly, roads officials made it clear that the scheme’s progression depends on clearing the statutory procedures and the availability of funding.

Councillor Burgess said the proposed work will upgrade the last remaining section of the main road between Crossgar and Saintfield and hopes it will continue to progress.

“Without doubt, this is one of the busiest roads in the district which carries an increasing volume of traffic. Many hoped work to widen the road between Doran’s Rock and Rowallane Garden would have been completed long ago, sadly this is not the case,” he declared.

“I hope the land and money needed to progress this scheme will be made available. It’s vital improvement work is carried out as soon as possible. The road is the main arterial route into Downpatrick and I have noticed over recent months that major tailbacks are forming on the main approach roads into Saintfield.”

Councillor Burgess said traffic can tail back from the Todd’s Hill crossroads in the centre of the town back as far as Saintfield Mart at the Belfast Road. He said there are also long tailbacks at the Ballygowan Road heading into Saintfield and along Main Street.

“Widening the A7 is a priority and this work must start as soon as possible. However, major tailbacks at peak periods in and out of Saintfield are a major issue and it is a problem which needs to be examined as it is only going to get worse.”

Councillor Burgess said the increasing tailbacks are “frustrating for many” and confirmed he is planning to invite roads officials to participate in a site meeting to look at ways how the problem can be tackled.

He added: “I realise there are no easy solutions given Saintfield’s layout and the fact a main road runs through the heart of the town. However, this must not be used as an excuse not do anything. Congestion is mounting and we need to take a look to see how we can improve the situation.”