Campaigner says district needs the by-pass

Campaigner says district needs the by-pass

27 January 2016

CASTLEWELLAN resident Mark Gould who travels through Ballynahinch on a regular basis said he is “privileged” to live in an area of outstanding natural beauty in the heart of South Down, but highlighted the absence of any investment in major roads schemes in the area in his lifetime.

He argued as more and more businesses relocate to major cities like Belfast, it is necessary that most people will have either to commute or move.

“We value our local communities and do not want to see them displaced to the cities, therefore commuting is a necessity. For people living in South Down who work in Belfast, Ballynahinch has become a commuter bottleneck on the A24. 

“The road restricts commuter traffic north and tourist traffic south and is long overdue for a major overhaul to improve its substandard layout. The layout within Ballynahinch town centre itself is a myriad of traffic lights, so-called swap lanes, roundabouts and lollipop crossings.”

Mr Gould said the swap lanes at High Street, Main Street and Windmill Street — where drivers have to change from one lane to another — are dangerous to navigate at peak periods in particular, describing them as an “illustration of tension and anxiety.”

He continued: “During school terms, Ballynahinch is choked by parents ping off children and school buses. In the summer, it is towed caravans and tourist traffic and I have witnessed 

a simple service such as bin collection causing tailbacks in excess of half a mile. On many occasions I have been stuck in tailbacks around Ballynahinch, only to realise that nothing untoward had happened.”

Mr Gould said he would assume reasons for advancing the by-pass include reducing congestion, increasing safety, improving commuter routes and reducing pollution. He also pointed to the number of pedestrians deaths in the town centre.

He added: “For decades, local people and politicians have campaigned to reach the stage we are at today. Every once in our lifetimes an opportunity comes along which will have a huge, positive impact on the way we live. 

“This is such an opportunity to to put in place something that will benefit generations. The by-pass is only three kilometres long, but it is much more than that. It is a new gateway into South Down and will improve the area’s connection to Belfast and hopefully stimulate future commercial and tourism investment.”