Consultation is queried over one way system plan

Consultation is queried over one way system plan

7 November 2012

THE Roads Service has been accused of carrying out a “one-sided” consultation exercise to determine views about the introduction of a one-way traffic system at Edward Street in Downpatrick.

Councillor Cadogan Enright said letters sent by the Roads Service to residents in the area asked people to register their views if they were opposed to the move. He said the same letter informed people who favour a one-way system that they “need not take further action.”

Twenty five objections have been lodged opposing a one-way scheme, but councillor Enright and other Downpatrick councillors have consistently argued the support to make Edward Street one-way is “overwhelming.”

Councillor Enright said 200 parents of children who attend Our Lady and St. Patrick’s School in Edward Street have signed a petition supporting a one-way system, which is also favoured by the Ambulance Service, Translink, Fire and Rescue Service and Down Council.

“It is clear the Roads Service consultation does not ask for positive replies about the introduction of a one-way system. Those who oppose the move were provided with a stamped addressed envelope to make their views known.

“The Roads Service consultation was one-sided and its repeated denials that this was not the case have been blown out of the water. During a recent meeting with councillors the Roads Service’s divisional manager Kevin Monaghan said he would be ‘most surprised’ if only negative responses were asked for. This is what happened,” declared councillor Enright.

The Downpatrick councillor claimed that prior to the consultation on the one-way system, he and other elected representatives were assured its introduction was “only a formality,” given the success of a temporary one-way system last year during work on a resurfacing scheme.

Councillor Enright added: “All politicians, schools, the emergency services and the majority of local people want a one-way system in Edward Street, but the Roads Service is being obdurate in this matter.”

A Roads Service spokesman said it is aware there is “considerable interest” in favour of the introduction of a one-way system in Edward Street, but it’s important to consider the concerns of people who feel that such proposals may have an adverse affect on their safety and environment.

“The majority of concerns relate to the additional vehicles that would be dispersed onto surrounding residential streets. Some of these had difficulty dealing with the increased traffic, including large service vehicles and buses, during the temporary one-way system to facilitate resurfacing works late last year

“There are approximately 7,000 vehicles per day using Edward Street and the introduction of a one-way system would disperse approximately 3,500 vehicles onto adjacent streets which are considered unsuitable for this extra volume of traffic.”

The spokesman said during his recent meeting with Down Council, Mr. Monaghan confirmed that Roads Service has no immediate plans to introduce a one-way system in Edward Street.

He added: “It was however acknowledged that the amalgamation of two local primary schools in the Edward Street area has significantly increased congestion on an already busy residential street, particularly at school opening and closing times.

“The Roads Service continues to monitor traffic issues at this location and is considering alternative traffic engineering solutions in a bid to try to improve the situation.”