Caitlin’s lucky escape prompts calls for review

Caitlin’s lucky escape prompts calls for review

9 July 2014

THE grandparents of a schoolgirl knocked down near her home in Annsborough have appealed to the Roads Service to help put the brakes on speeding motorists.

Ten year-old Caitlin McKibbin was struck by a car on June 16 while crossing the Ballylough Road. She sustained a number of injuries and was rushed to Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital.

Caitlin, who is a pupil at Annsborough Integrated Primary School, was released from hospital a few days after the accident.

Her grandparents, Hugh and Anne McCann, say there have been a number of accidents at the Ballylough Road over the past number of years, and residents share their concern about the increasing speed of drivers.

The Roads Service has provided signs warning drivers they are approaching Annsborough and that a school is located along the Ballylough Road. It has also confirmed in a letter to a local politician that while there are no plans to introduce any further measures at this time, the Ballylough Road will be continually assessed in accordance with policy and procedures.

Caitlin’s grandparents say this isn’t good enough and are concerned the Roads Service is refusing to provide road humps or other measures to reduce the speed of vehicles as they are deemed “unsuitable” for a main road.

The grandparents believe road humps should be provided along with flashing warning lights to alert drivers they are approaching a school and an area where children will be walking or playing. They have also suggested a pedestrian crossing should be provided outside Annsborough Stores.

Mrs. McCann said she has a simple question for the Roads Service. “Does someone have to be killed before something is done to address the speeding issue at the Ballylough Road?”

“Speed is a major issue. Ask anyone who lives along this section of the road. How many people have to be knocked down before something is done? The biggest fear we all have is that someone is going to be killed along a road where children walk to school and go to the local shop,” she continued.

“What happened to Caitlin has brought things to a head. Enough is enough. Vehicles are travelling too fast along the Ballylough Road and something must be done to slow them down.”

Her husband, whose mother was knocked down while crossing the Ballylough Road many years ago, said he and his wife have gone public with their concerns in a bid to press the Roads Service into action.

He said an increasing number of vehicles are using the Ballylough Road to make their way to Ballynahinch en route to Belfast.

“Two people have been killed along this road over the years and at least 

four people knocked down,” he continued. “We have a situation during term time 

of children walking along a narrow path to school with cars and loaded lorries hurtling by them at speed. I have seen vehicles mount the footpath and there have been a number of near accidents with drivers having to take evasive action.”

Mr. McCann added: “We want the speeding issue addressed. The area outside my home is governed by a 30mph limit, yet there are some lunatics driving at speeds in excess of 70mph. Something has to be done to ensure the safety of children and all the Ballylough Road residents is a priority.”

Councillor Patrick Clarke, who has raised the Ballylough Road speeding issue with the Roads Service and the PSNI, said he shares the concerns of the McCann family and other residents.

“There is a clear need to carry out an assessment at this busy road to determine the need for traffic calming measures. I will be insisting the Roads Service carries out this work as a matter of urgency,” he added.