MLA seeks A7 road lane improvements

MLA seeks A7 road lane improvements

23 November 2016

STORMONT Minister Chris Hazzard has been asked to provide additional overtaking lanes along one of the district’s busiest roads.

South Down MLA Colin McGrath has asked for overtaking lanes to be provided along the A7 which links Downpatrick with Belfast. There are currently two overtaking lanes, one close to the Belfast Road business park outside Downpatrick and the other at Doran’s Rock outside Saintfield.

Mr McGrath said while major upgrades for the A5 and A6 road schemes in the north of the Province are continually in the headlines, the A7 never gets a mention. It is something he wants to see changed.

“There have been some major upgrades along the A7 over the past few years but these have focused on the road surface rather than any substantial infrastructural overhaul,” he said.

“The overtaking lane at Doran’s Rock is very welcome and helps motorists to pass slower vehicles and continue with their journey. But I believe that there should be other overtaking lanes on further stretches of the road to prevent slow moving vehicles creating tailbacks.”

Mr McGrath said he believes Mr Hazzard is “open to his suggestion” and has asked for an investigation to be carried out into the provision of additional overtaking lanes and the compilation of a feasibility study to see if the work can be progressed.