Death of pensioner, 86, prompts road meeting

Death of pensioner, 86, prompts road meeting

2 September 2015

SENIOR roads officials are to meet with police to discuss improving pedestrian safety in Ballynahinch town centre following a recent accident which claimed the life of pensioner Pat Branniff.

The 86 year-old died after being struck by a lorry in Windmill Street as he was making his weekly visit to the town’s market. The accident happened close to the High Street junction and was the third major accident at this part of the town in recent years.

In a letter to Strangford MP Jim Shannon, former Stormont Regional Development (DRD) Minister Danny Kennedy confirmed his officials are arranging a meeting with the PSNI to consider the circumstances of the accident which claimed Mr Branniff’s life.

The Minister said the meeting will also determine whether or not there are any traffic measures which could be provided to improve road safety at this part of Ballynahinch.

In the wake of Mr Branniff’s death, several politicians suggested the number of accidents at the Windmill Street area, which have claimed two lives and resulted in a pensioner losing a leg, highlighted the need for work to start on Ballynahinch’s proposed £50m by-pass.

Mr Kennedy said work on the by-pass is progressing but again confirmed that given a number of objections which have been lodged, it is likely a public inquiry will be held early next year.

The DRD Minister said the scheme’s progression on to TransportNI’s construction programme remains subject to the by-pass clearing a number of statutory procedures, continuing to have a satisfactory economic appraisal and is dependent on funding being made available in future budget settlements.

Mr Shannon said the recent tragedy resulted in Mr Branniff losing his life at what he described as a “dangerous area where cars simply can’t see to stop.”

The MP said the tragedy has again underlined the need for safety measures to be taken and while he understands the financial pressure the DRD is under, “steps must be taken urgently to address the safety issue at this part of Ballynahinch.”

The MP continued: “It is my belief that if steel railings were erected this would ensure people would not try to cross the road and would have no option but to go to one of the nearby pedestrians crossings.

Mr Shannon has urged the DRD Minister to confirm a start date for work to provide the new railings and hopes the Branniff family grieving the loss of a father and grandfather will see something positive coming from the recent tragedy.

Rowallane councillor Mark Murnin has called on people who have objected to the multi-million pound by-pass to reconsider their concerns in light of the recent tragedy in the town.

He said with uncertainty over public finances, he believes the quicker the by-pass gets to the funding stage the better it will be for the people of the Ballynahinch area. 

Councillor Murnin claimed there will still be between 8,000 and 9,000 cars a day using Ballynahinch when the by-pass is built. 

He has also welcomed confirmation from DRD minister Danny Kennedy that his officials have arranged a meeting with  the PSNI to consider the circumstances of the recent tragic incident at Windmill Street and to determine whether or not there are any traffic measures which could be provided to improve road safety in this location.