Town is in need of link road for traffic

Town is in need of link road for traffic

27 August 2014

RECENT traffic jams in Downpatrick clearly show the need for a link road from the Saul Road, according to local residents.

Declan McGrady, chairman of Saul Road Residents Association, described the recent closure of Fountain Street and ensuing traffic problems as “total chaos”. He said it highlighted the folly of a developer being given the go-ahead for a housing development on the Saul Road without having to address the impact on traffic.

Last week unprecedented traffic jams in Downpatrick forced Roads Service to bring forward the completion of a major resurfacing scheme. Motorists had been forced to sit for up to 45 minutes in traffic queues after Fountain Street was closed two weeks ago.

In response to complaints Roads Service said they had taken measures to alleviate the congestion, including a change to traffic light timings in the town and new signage at Saul Way.

Mr. McGrady said there had been a lack of consultation on the whole process.

“Firstly, what a shambles — Fountain Street has been closed without any prior warning and Downpatrick grinds to a halt,” he said. “No logistics were given any credence whatsoever. No alternative routes planned out, no altering the timescales of the traffic lights on other routes to accommodate the heavy traffic trying to go in other directions. Total chaos.

“I insist that those responsible stand up and take responsibility for their actions. Fountain Street has become the arterial route via Saul Way for those now working in the Downshire Estate — Council, Fire Service, Housing Executive, not to mention the hospital and the fishing port of Ardglass. Those returning from Belfast from work in the evenings had to add longer travelling times to their journey once they arrived at Down Business Park to be met with a tailback of traffic.

“I demand, as should everyone living and working in this town, a sincere apology from the mandarins who decided in conjunction with the contractor that this should happen. It’s atrocious.”

Referring to the situation on Saul Road, Mr. McGrady said: “As chair of the Saul Road Residents Association I am disgusted that the developer of 140 plus houses at the top end of the Saul Road has been given the go ahead to build without the requirement to build a link road and this is simply adding further chaos to Downpatrick town centre.

“We can see what happens when one street is closed. The Planning Appeals Commission is allowing further housing development without the need for link roads and bypasses. The hospital, Council, PSNI are all being asked to contribute to the cost of a link road but not the developer.”

Mr. McGrady, who recently met Environment Minister Mark H Durkan to discuss the proposed developments on the Saul Road, claimed the department was “not interested” in his concerns.

“Traffic in Downpatrick is atrocious and nothing is being done to alleviate the problems,” he added. “I am sure traders are sick and tired of fighting against the powers that be — who would open a business in this town?”

Macartan Digney, chairman of the Marian Park Community Association, backed Mr. McGrady’s comments. His association has previously complained about how the buses for St. Patrick’s Grammar School, unable to travel up the steep hill leading to the school, block Saul Street.

“With the congestion as it is this is not helped by where the school buses for St. Patrick’s Grammar School stop,” he said. “It makes the congestion worse.”