Edward Street safety concerns not in plans

Edward Street safety concerns not in plans

28 August 2019

A SENIOR politician has expressed concern that plans to address safety issues at one of Downpatrick’s most heavily congested streets do not feature in the Department for Infrastructure’s plans for the town.

The government department’s annual report — which highlights schemes which have recently been completed and those which will be carried out in the months ahead — was discussed last night during a special meeting of Newry, Mourne and Down Council.

A number of senior roads officials fielded questions from local politicians after they had outlined the detail of the report at the local authority’s Downshire Civic Centre headquarters.

But the district’s longest serving councillor, Dermot Curran, expressed disappointment that work to address congestion and road safety concerns at Edward Street do not feature in the document.

He was hoping that roads officials would have acted ahead of the start of the new academic term next week and has been left frustrated that no plans are in the pipeline.

A number of politicians favour the introduction of a one-way system given the success of a temporary one introduced a number of years ago to facilitate a resurfacing scheme at this part of the town where Our Lady and St Patrick Primary School is located.

Cllr Curran says it is essential that the safety of children who attend the primary school and residents who live in the area is addressed, with steps also taken to prevent huge articulated lorries from using Edward Street.

“I had hoped to see something in the roads report addressing the problems Edward Street but it does not get a mention,” he declared. “There is a pressing issue which needs to be addressed given the large number of children who attend the school.

“We need to do something about heavy lorries and buses using what is a narrow street never designed to cope with the volumes of traffic it is currently having to deal with. I am one of those who believes that a one-way system could address the congestion issue and significantly improve traffic flow at this part of the town.”

Cllr Curran said he plans to ask roads officials to introduce a one-way system on a trial basis, monitor the impact and ask residents, parents, primary school officials and commuters for their views.

“We all need to be mindful of children’s safety in Edward Street. I have witnessed the congestion at this part of the town many times and am bewildered that articulated lorries, heavy plant and agricultural machinery are allowed to use this road. Their presence is dangerous,” the councillor continued.

“The time has come to address the road safety issues at this part of Downpatrick and roads officials need to act. Work is currently underway on a scheme at Collins’ Corner to help improve safety there while several years ago, Fountain Street was improved to make the area safer for pedestrians. There are no concrete plans for Edward Street which is deeply concerning.”

Cllr Curran believes the close proximity of the Downshire Civic Centre where a number of statutory agencies are based, including Newry, Mourne and Down Council, is exacerbating the situation in Edward Street.

He added: “People are looking for something to happen in Edward Street but there are no plans on the table. The safety of school pupils and indeed local residents should be a major priority for roads officials.”