Fountain Street plan is brought forward

Fountain Street plan is brought forward

26 October 2016

WORK on a £200,000 scheme to improve road safety and ease congestion at Fountain Street in Downpatrick is to go ahead earlier than planned.

Roads officials had planned to carry out the work after a scheme to upgrade the Collins’ Corner junction in the town was completed however, ground conditions at Collins’ Corner has meant a delay in this project.

Confirmation that work to widen Fountain Street, provide traffic calming measures and on-street parking spaces for residents could now start in the New Year was confirmed by the district’s most senior roads official, Simon Richardson, during Monday night’s meeting of Newry, Mourne and Down Council.

The roads official said consultation on the Fountain Street scheme is underway and work could start in early 2017.

Mr Richardson said the Fountain Street scheme was one of a number of proposals identified in a wide ranging transport review carried out in Downpatrick.

“The review identified further improvements in the town including potential one-way schemes which will require further development and consultation with residents. These include a one-way system for Edward Street, St Dillon’s Avenue and John Street. To date, some concerns have been raised by residents on the impact a one way system in Edward Street will have on surrounding streets,” he continued.

Mr Richardson also said a one-way system including Market Street, Irish Street, Stream Street and and St Patrick’s Avenue would not deliver regeneration benefits.

“A potential new link road from Irish Street to St Patrick’s Avenue through the old PSNI site would be seen as a regeneration opportunity, with Transport NI working alongside the local council and Department for Communities in moving this proposal forward,” he said.

The roads chief said Transport NI is also working with the local authority on the development of an environmental improvement scheme for Irish Street following the removal of the blast wall at the former police base. Mr Richardson said Irish Street has been realigned with new road makings provided last weekend.

The roads official confirmed plans for a park and ride facility at the Belfast Road on the outskirts of Downpatrick are also progressing. He said a potential site has been identified with Transport NI at the early planning stages which will require land, planning approval and funding.

Councillor Dermot Curran said Fountain Street residents and road users will welcome the start of 

work at this part of the town which is heavily congested at peak periods. He said residents in particular will be pleased with plans to provide on-street parking which they will be able to use.

“Roads officials are to be commended for their efforts to address the congestion problem which has been choking Downpatrick’s economy for years. Progress is being made and this has to be welcomed,” he added.

Councillor Cadogan Enright welcomed Transport NI’s commitment to the proposed link road between Irish Street and St Patrick’s Avenue, adding: “I welcome the realisation of the enormous potential this link road has for urban renewal in the Downpatrick area.”