Man’s anniversary prompts calls for assured speed limit

Man’s anniversary prompts calls for assured speed limit

2 March 2016

CONCERN has been expressed that a campaign to secure a 30mph speed limit in the Ballyhornan area has stalled.

South Down MLA Chris Hazzard and councillor Cadogan Enright say they are disappointed that on the approach of the second anniversary of the death of farmer Paddy Wilkinson who was killed outside his farm at the Killard Road in the village, the speed limit has not been introduced.

Mr Hazzard said when regulations changed in 2010 the Ballyhornan community was informed the village qualified for a 30mph speed limit. He said six years on, residents are still waiting for improved road safety measures, despite Mr Wilkinson’s death.

“Everyone knows it should not take speed limits to make people drive sensibly,” the MLA declared. “It is clear that for most people there is a traffic calming effect when suitable speed limit signs are in place. This is definitely appropriate to Ballyhornan. 

“This June, it will have been two years since Mr Wilkinson’s death. It would be fitting if we could get this promise finally delivered for then,” he added.

Councillor Enright said the campaign to have a 30mph limit in Ballyhornan has been going for over ten years and it is clear the village qualifies for this restriction, despite the Road Service’s “seeming reluctance” to implement English regulations in Northern Ireland. 

He said following Mr Wilkinson’s death, a Transport NI engineer confirmed the village met the new regulations for a 30mph limit.

Mr Wilkinson’s son-in-law, Pat Magee, said it should not have taken the death of his father-in-law “to get Roads Service interested in doing its job.” 

The farmer was injured in the accident in which the 73 year-old lost his life when the two men were knocked down by a car outside the family farm.

The accident happened on the same stretch of road where residents have been appealing for a 30mph sign and footpaths.

Mr Magee added: “The engineer who visited the village in the wake of calls for a new speed limit to be provided has retired and there is no-one to finish the job. We are right back at square one again. This is a disgrace.”

A Department of Regional Development spokeswoman said an assessment is underway for speed restrictions in Kilclief and Ballyhornan which will take into account a number of factors including traffic speeds, the standard and geometry of the road and the type of frontage development.

“When this assessment has been completed, officials in Transport NI will be in a better position to review the appropriateness of a speed limit for both Kilclief and Ballyhornan and will keep Mr Hazzard updated when the assessment has been completed.”