Another crash at accident blackspot

Another crash at accident blackspot

31 July 2013

THE absence of a crash barrier at an accident blackspot at one of the district’s busiest roads is placing lives at risk, a local politician has claimed.

Councillor Garth Craig is seeking an urgent meeting with senior officials from the Roads Service and PSNI to highlight the need for the barrier to be provided at a sweeping bend at the Newcastle Road outside Ballynahinch, close to the Park House Inn.

A number of drivers heading towards Newcastle have lost control and crashed at the sweeping bend with the latest accident occurring just after 6am last Thursday morning.

Cars are smashing through a hedge belonging to a local landowner with some of the vehicles ending up on their roof. Councillor Craig, who has called for the provision of the crash barrier in the past without success, argues its provision must be regarded as an “immediate priority.”

The Ballynahinch councillor believes that in addition to the provision of a crash barrier, clearer signs warning drivers they are approaching a dangerous bend need to be provided.

“This particular road carries a high volume of traffic and unfortunately, there have been a number of crashes at this location,” he continued.

Councillor Craig said he fears that if a crash barrier is not provided, drivers who lose control of their cars in future at the sweeping bend may not be lucky and able to walk away virtually unscathed.

He added: “I share the frustration of landowner, Mr. Sean Savage, who is having to continually repair a boundary hedge at his own expense every time there is an accident. He too is concerned at the delay in providing a crash barrier at this location.

“I hope the meeting with the Roads Service and PSNI can take place as soon as possible and that steps can be taken to provide a crash barrier before there are further accidents.”

Mr. Savage estimates he has spent over £1,500 repairing his boundary fence over recent years and revealed there have been six accidents at the bend over the past 24 months.

He believes a crash barrier is needed and hopes the forthcoming meeting with the Roads Service and PSNI will result in a “successful outcome.”

Mr. Savage added: “The particular stretch of road where the accidents are occurring was improved about 20 years ago.

It is my belief that a crash barrier should have been provided then. In my opinion, the need for this road safety measure is more important than ever.”