Staggered road junction to get upgrade to help stop accidents

Staggered road junction to get upgrade to help stop accidents

9 August 2023

A LEADING government department has been urged to press ahead with the upgrade of staggered road junctions at the busy Belfast Road outside Downpatrick.

The appeal to the Department for Infrastructure comes after it confirmed that a review of the Finnebrogue Road and Annacloy Road junctions — where there have been a number of accidents — confirmed safety upgrades are required.

However, the government department said work cannot begin on the much-needed scheme at one of the district’s busiest roads as a minor works contractor is not yet in place.

South Down MLA Colin McGrath is frustrated that while the road safety work is required, it could be quite some time before contractors are on site.

“These staggered road junctions off the Belfast Road have been a source of consternation for the public for some time,” he continued.

“Those of us who live locally and know the area, know that this area has been beleaguered for years with various accidents.”

Earlier this year, Mr McGrath successfully lobbied the Department for Infrastructure to include these junctions on a list of locations where a review was required to see if their safety could be improved.

“I have now received an update that this review has been completed, with roads officials agreeing that the work needs to be carried out to improve road safety at both the Finnebrogue and Annacloy  roads via a potential junction improvement,” he said.

“While work is now underway to design an improvement to the so-called visibility splays here, no such scheme can currently be completed as the Department does not have a minor works contractor in place at the moment.”

Mr McGrath said it “beggars belief” that work is starting on a scheme which, at this stage, cannot be completed due to the absence of a contractor.

He confirmed he has written to the Permanent Secretary at the government department, Dr Julie Harrison, impressing upon her the need to have a contractor in place.

“These minor work schemes can quickly become major works and the inability of the department to complete these schemes does have an impact on public perception,” insisted Mr McGrath.

“Here we have yet another example of our crumbling local public services, which would be best served with a functioning Assembly and Executive. I will continue to work with the Department to see these important works completed as soon as possible.”