Dismay over snub about safety fears

Dismay over snub about safety fears

30 October 2024

A DECISION by Stormont’s Roads Minister not to visit a street in Downpatrick which is at the centre of safety concerns has been described as “disappointing”.

An open invitation to witness at first hand the issues in Edward Street where a busy primary school is located was issued to Mr John O’Dowd by South Down MLA Colin McGrath.

Mr O’Dowd said he was unable to visit due to diary commitments.

McGrath expressed concern that his invitation had been turned down given that the ongoing congestion at Edward Street is a source of consternation and frustration for many people.

He has proposed that the area would be ideal for the introduction of a so-called street scheme which reduces congestion at peak periods.

“The scheme also creates a safer area and encourages active travel and clean air around our schools,” said Mr McGrath.

“The Minister said he is considering this as part of a ‘suite of options’ and I would be concerned that while decisions are being made that the school street scheme be discarded given it is a fairly new initiative.”

Mr McGrath said he extended the open invitation to Mr O’Dowd to view the congestion at first hand.

“I have since received a response from the Minister’s office stating that he will not be able to accept the invite due to diary commitments.

“Given that my invitation was an open ended one, I find it remarkable that the Minister cannot accept an invitation at all due to these commitments. 

“This will come as disappointing news to people in the locality, who passionately want to see a resolution to the ongoing issue of congestion in Edward Street.”

Mr McGrath also questioned if Mr O’Dowd would have looked more favourably upon the invitation had it come from his own Sinn Fein party, given he was able to visit South Down last week. 

“I want to assure people across Downpatrick that I will not be relenting in the campaign to see the school street scheme delivered in Edward Street to reduce the congestion, create a safer environment for children going to school and supporting clean air around our school.”

A DfI spokeswoman said the Department had commissioned further traffic surveys for inclusion in the feasibility study for Edward Street following the recent opening of a new Eurospar in the area, and the merging of three local secondary schools to form Lecale Trinity Grammar School. 

“These additional surveys are required to confirm whether there have been any significant changes to traffic patterns in the area that might impact on the options currently being considered,” she explained.

“These findings will be incorporated into an Options Assessment Report for the Edward Street scheme which is due to be complete in the coming weeks.”

The spokeswoman said given this ongoing work, it was considered that a site visit would not be beneficial at this time, but a further meeting will be scheduled with local representatives in December to discuss the results.