Meeting about traffic jams eagerly awaited

Meeting about traffic jams eagerly awaited

7 January 2015

ROADS officials have been asked to confirm the date of a special meeting they are organising to discuss resolving Downpatrick town centre’s chronic traffic congestion problems.

The district’s most senior roads chief, Mr. Simon Richardson, confirmed last November that he was organising such a meeting which will be attended by the Downpatrick business community and local politicians.

He said the meeting would take place in the New Year with participants given their first glimpse of the detail of a major traffic study which has been undertaken.

While a series of traffic surveys have been carried out over the years, Mr. Richardson wanted the document due to be discussed to be an “all encompassing study” which looks at the entire town centre area.

Councillor Dermot Curran hopes the proposed meeting will take place soon and that the detail in the traffic study will secure support to allow roads engineers to finally address a congestion issue which he fears is impacting on Downpatrick’s economy.

He said it’s vital the Downpatrick business community in particular makes the most of the opportunity it is being presented with to view the traffic study and discuss potential solutions for addressing the traffic issue.

Councillor Curran believes success can be achieved if roads officials, traders and elected representatives work together on the congestion issue in partnership.

“For me, the bottom line is that a plan everyone can sign up to has to be agreed to ensure a congestion issue which is choking the town’s economy can be tackled effectively,” he declared.

“Sadly, a number of shops have closed and people are choosing to shop elsewhere. Traffic congestion has blighted Downpatrick’s image for too long and we need to so something about it.”

Councillor Curran said roads officials deserve praise for agreeing to “finally sit down” with the business community in a bid to move things forward.

He continued: “Many will be hoping there will be positive action to not just tackle congestion, but allow Downpatrick to take tentative steps towards regenerating its economic heart.

“After many frustrating years, there is is now a willingness for all the key players to sit down together to solve the congestion problem once and for all. We all know we need to do something. Agreeing what we need to do is now the challenge facing us.”

Councillor Curran said a number of High Street retailers have invested in Downpatrick in the past and believes others could follow, if the congestion nut can be cracked.

He added: “I have been calling for roads officials to sit down with traders and politicians to plot a way forward for many years. I am now delighted this will finally happen. The forthcoming meeting must mark the start of a productive relationship between all the various groups who all share one goal.”