Ministers urged to act over road delays

Ministers urged to act over road delays

7 May 2014

TWO Stormont ministers have been invited to view at first hand increasing traffic congestion at a busy Downpatrick town centre junctions.

Concern is mounting about the situation at the Scotch Street/Saul Street junction, with fears the congestion issue will be exacerbated if several proposed new housing schemes in the area are given the green light.

South Down MP Margaret Ritchie and councillor Colin McGrath want Environment Minister Mark Durkan and his Regional Development counterpart, Danny Kennedy, to visit Downpatrick in a bid to resolve the problems.

News of the invitation comes as a newly formed residents’ group criticised the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) after it gave a developer behind two new housing schemes proposed for the Saul Road permission to proceed, without constructing part of a new road outlined in the Down Area Plan.

The eastern distributor road linking the Belfast and Bally-hornan roads is one of the 

key planks in the area plan which outlines the future development of the district. The Planning Service wants the new road built by developers as new housing at the Saul Road progresses, and residents are in full agreement.

The residents’ group is concerned at the impact the new homes proposals will have on the Scotch Street/Saul Street junction if the road outlined in the area plan is not provided.

Miss Ritchie said many Saul Road residents are “justifiably concerned” about traffic flow and housing density and the impact the proposed new housing will have on the busy junction and town centre traffic movement.

She also accused the PAC of “simply steam rollering over” the Down Area Plan process with no recourse given to the eastern distributor road.

The MP added: “I will be raising the concerns of residents with the Ministers responsible for both the Planning and Roads Service. I have asked them to visit Downpatrick to see for themselves the outcome of the (PAC) not just on the Saul Road area, but to town centre traffic management.”

Councillor McGrath said the Roads Service must address traffic congestion at busy road junctions in Downpatrick before consideration is given to approving plans for more new houses in the town.

“There are a number of planning applications for new homes to be built at the Saul Road and the Roads Service must give first priority and consideration to the traffic congestion at the Saul Street/Scotch Street junction before any approval is granted,” he declared. There is a significant problem at this particular junction and motorists face serious waiting times which is unacceptable.

“For further planning applications for hundreds of homes to be considered without any consideration for upgrading this junction is folly and will result in further problems rather than the solutions required.”