Annacloy and Ardglass need cash for roads

Annacloy and Ardglass need cash for roads

20 July 2016

LOCAL politicians have called for extra money which has been made available to cut overgrown grass verges and improve sight lines to be spent in Ardglass and Annacloy.

Councillors Dermot Curran and Terry Andrews have highlighted problems in both areas, warning overgrown verges close to busy roads and junctions pose a danger to drivers and pedestrians.

Their call for urgent action comes after the district’s most senior roads official confirmed additional funding which has made available to Transport NI will ensure verges will be cut twice a year and not once as had originally been planned.

In a letter to Newry, Mourne and Down Council chief executive, Liam Hannaway, the area’s divisional roads manager, Simon Richardson, said while Transport NI was intending to provide a limited grass cutting service, all areas will now be cut twice.

In addition, Mr Richardson said his officers have been responding to reports of poor sight lines at road junctions caused by overgrown verges and ensured they were cut for safety reasons.

He said while most have hopefully been cut, councillors with any concerns about particular areas should bring them to the attention of his staff.

Councillor Curran pressed concern about weeds growing along the main road at The Ward housing estate, but warned overgrown verges at the nearby Coney Island Road junction pose a real threat to road safety.

“I fully understand roads officials have been inundated with requests to cut overgrown verges right across the entire council area and while many locations have been cut, there are a number which require attention,” he continued.

“I hope the extra money can address the areas I have highlighted in Ardglass to make these locations safer for drivers and pedestrians.

The humid conditions will exacerbate the problems in  many areas and I welcome confirmation that many verges are to be cut twice. But I hope that before this happens those which have not yet been cut will be given priority.”

He added: “In many rural areas, the width of the road has been considerably reduced as a result of overgrown foliage and it is important these areas are cut as soon as possible.”

Councillor Andrews said overgrown verges at the entrance to Annacloy are four and five feet high in places and are not a welcoming sight for visitors to the village.

“Roads officials are under a lot of pressure in trying to cut many overgrown grass verges across out district.

I appreciate they can’t be everywhere, but they should be able to prioritise areas where the problem is particularly acute. I believe Annacloy is one area that deserves immediate attention,” he said.

The Rowallane councillor said he has also been made aware of overgrown verges at the Castleward Road near Strangford where a driver exiting the junction was almost involved in an accident.

Councillor Andrews added: “This area is one of many locations across our district what has yet to receive its first cut and I hope roads officials will ensure its contractors are deployed here as soon as possible.”