Latest crash prompts calls for safety work

Latest crash prompts calls for safety work

19 February 2014

A LOCAL politician believes it was a “miracle” no-one was seriously injured in a crash at a notorious accident blackspot near Spa outside Ballynahinch last weekend.

A pick-up lorry was involved in a collision with a car at the junction of the Magherahamlet and Dunmore crossroads and fortunately the occupants of both vehicles escaped unharmed.

Two children were in the car and councillor Garth Craig said it was fortunate there were no injuries as a result of last Friday’s crash which resulted in the truck ending up in a field.

He said the Roads Service intended to improve visibility at the junction to make the area safer and had hoped the work would be completed before the end of the financial year.

“The end of March is approaching but work to improve sight lines at the junction has not yet commenced,” said councillor Craig. “Last Friday’s accident was the latest in a series of bad collisions at this particular junction over recent years.”

The local politician said he has contacted Roads Service officials to ensure the proposed work at the junction is a priority and that the procurement of the land necessary to improve sight lines is completed.

“A budget for the proposed improvements must be made available while in the meantime, I would likes roads officials to erect signs to warn drivers they are approaching a junction where it is difficult to see oncoming traffic,” said councillor Craig.

He added: “There could have been a much more serious outcome as a result of last Friday’s crash. It is a miracle no one was seriously injured and I wish a speedy recovery to all involved.”

A Roads Service spokeswoman said the organisation has programmed improvement works at the Spa junction to improve visibility and road safety.

“Most of the design work is now complete and initial agreement has been reached with affected landowners,” she continued.

“Some design work on a culvert extension is still ongoing, but it’s hoped this will be completed soon to allow work begin on this scheme within a few months.”