End local traffic nightmare

SIR, — It is with heavy heart that I feel I must comment once again on the sorry state of affairs at Edward street.

On Monday of this week I witnessed another example of the chaos which results when two streams of traffic meet in the middle of a street that was not designed to handle it. While we have read of the differing accounts of results of ‘meetings’ and ‘consultations’ by the Roads Service and Down Council, I and other people who witnessed the chaos today feel that it is time something was done.

Firstly, John Street, from the junction at Irish Street opposite the Police Station,through Edward Street to the junction at Ardglass Road is marked, albeit not very clearly, as No Through Road for Large Vehicles. There are signs at both locations. So why are HGVs and the like using this route? Or more importantly, why aren’t the PSNI and the Red Jackets out in force to curb this?

While it would not solve the problem it would certainly help. If an ambulance or Fire Service vehicle had been trying to get through the mayhem today they would have stood no chance. Is this what is going to have to happen, before somebody actually bothers to go and monitor the situation?

While there may, or indeed may not be, objections to the one-way system, it is time that common sense and safety consciousness be exercised here. I say that the one-way system should be reintroduced as soon as possible, whether there are objections or not. Somebody is going to get hurt, or worse, and damage is already being done to vehicles as they try to squirm out of each others way.

Down Council, the PSNI and Roads Service — get your act together.

Yours etc.,

G. TWEEDIE,

Downpatrick.