Roads officials urged to address pedestrian safety in Darragh Cross

Roads officials urged to address pedestrian safety in Darragh Cross

16 February 2022

ROADS officials have been asked to consider providing a new pedestrian crossing in Darragh Cross as part of a series of measures to make the village safer.

The appeal was made by Rowallane councillor Patrick Brown when he met with a local roads official in the village last week to discuss increasing concern about pedestrian safety as a result of the speed of vehicles.

The Department for Infrastructure has said while there will not be a 30mph zone implemented in Darragh Cross due to current legislation, it has been asked to extend the current 20mph in force outside the village’s primary school and the nearby Barnamaghery Road.

Cllr Brown has also asked the district’s Policing and Community Safety Partnership to locate one of its electronic speed indicator signs in the village.

He said the devices have helped reduce speed in other areas and believes that one in Darragh Cross would be effective with a decision on his request expected next month.

“A speed indicator device will help address speeding concerns in an area where children are particularly vulnerable and I would like the sign in place as soon as possible,” he continued.

“I have also discussed with roads officials the potential opportunity for a pedestrian crossing near the main shop which would be funded by the government department’s active travel department, which would be another welcome measure for pedestrians in Darragh Cross.”

Cllr Brown said that as a result of his recent meeting which he described as “constructive”, roads officials gave a commitment to assess safety railings in place a Manse Road. 

“This particular issue was raised with me last month as damage to part of the railings is adding to residents’ safety concerns. The assessment will happen after the new local authority-funded play park has been built at the GAA site,” he said.

Cllr Brown confirmed that he is also pushing for the safety railings to be extended from the Oaks Restaurant to the GAA ground to “maximise the safety of residents”, in particular, families with young children who will be making frequent use of the site. 

He added: “I share residents’ concerns about road safety in Darragh Cross and believe that enacting these measures over the coming months should be a departmental priority. 

“However, I hope that collectively, these steps will begin to alleviate many of the village’s safety concerns for the future.”