Temporary road closure in place for number of weeks

Temporary road closure in place for number of weeks

9 October 2019

A TEMPORARY road closure at Pound Lane in Downpatrick is to remain in place for significantly longer than at first thought.

Roads officials have this week confirmed the road will remain closed until October 25 as part of a £300,000 improvement scheme at Collins’ Corner where five roads converge.

Work on the scheme — which started last month and is due to complete in November — includes a new footpath at the Killough Road and a new left turn lane from Pound Lane into the Killough Road.

Other aspects of the scheme include upgrading existing traffic signal equipment and the introduction of a one-way traffic system 

on Lower Stream Street from the junction towards Racecourse Hill.

Roads officials say the scheme should improve traffic progression and that due to the nature of the work involved, it will be necessary to operate a number of off-peak road and lane closures.

Signed diversions will be provided with the Department of Infrastructure asking motorists to comply with all temporary traffic restrictions and to drive with care when travelling through, or in the vicinity of the works to help ensure the safety of road users and workers.

Downpatrick councillor Dermot Curran said he was pleased with the progress on the scheme and believes that extending the closure at Pound Lane should result in major problems for drivers.

“Work on the upgrade appears to be progressing well and it is my understanding that there have been no major disruptions,” he said.

Cllr Curran also remains keen for senior engineers from the Department for Infrastructure to sit down with local politicians to discuss Downpatrick’s congestion issue and look at innovative ways of addressing a problem.

He views such a meeting as part of a two-pronged approach, with a second meeting between MLAs and the government department’s permanent secretary.

Roads officials have come up with what has been described as a short, medium and long term strategy to deal with the congestion issue in Downpatrick, with Cllr Curran keen to see the congestion issues in Edward Street addressed.

“As I have said previously, we need to get round the table with roads engineers and look at all options moving forward,” he said.

“Clearly there is no quick fix solution to Downpatrick’s congestion problem and while the layout of the town may pose problems for engineers, perhaps the time has come for some innovative thinking.”

Cllr Curran said it was “time to come up with ideas on the way forward to help meet the future growth of Downpatrick”.