Grandfather warns of risks on rural roads

Grandfather warns of risks on rural roads

2 September 2015

A DOWNPATRICK man has warned that overgrown hedges and verges obscuring road signs across the district is placing lives at risk.

The grandfather who lives at the Lough Money Road outside Downpatrick said a sign warning drivers on the Ballyculter Road that they are approaching a crossroads near his home has been completely covered by an overgrown hedge.

Thomas Bibby believes motorists are being “let down” by the Department for Regional Development for not ensuring verges and hedgerows obscuring road signs are trimmed.

He explained he is currently teaching his granddaughter to drive and said she was unaware of the presence of the crossroads near his home as she approached because the road sign was overgrown.

“We have a situation which is placing lives at risk,” he declared. “People unfamiliar with this particular crossroads could find themselves driving towards it and because the road sign can’t be seen, end up driving across the junction, placing themselves and other drivers at risk. This is simply not acceptable.”

Mr Bibby said the four roads which approach the crossroads are governed by the national speed limit and he fears there could be a serious accident if urgent steps are not taken to ensure all road signs at the rural location are clearly visible to drivers.

“Strangers and visitors to this part of the world could be placed at risk because they would not know they were approaching a crossroads. Through no fault of their own, they could end up in a serious accident simply because a road sign has been obscured,” he continued.

“Drivers could also potentially find themselves stopping in the middle of the crossroads because they will have no warning they are approaching it. There is an accident waiting to happen at this particular location and I hope action will be taken to ensure all road signs are clearly visible.”

Mr Bibby added: “I have no doubt overgrown verges and hedges which are obscuring road signs are placing lives at risk. The Department of Regional Development needs to address this serious situation immediately.”