Pot-holed road to get £100,000 repair work

Pot-holed road to get £100,000 repair work

17 February 2016

A POT-HOLE littered road in Ballynahinch is finally to be resurfaced.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council is to spend up to £100,000 repairing the pot holes and resurfacing Harmony Way which is adjacent to the Windmill Street car park in the market town.

Members of the local authority’s Strategic Policy and Resources Committee agreed last week to appoint a contractor to carry out the minor works scheme, which will include improved storm drainage to address a flooding problem. Double yellow lines will also be painted on the resurfaced road to ensure the smooth flow of traffic.

Harmony Way, which is owned by the local authority, services the rear entrances to a number of shops and businesses at Main Street and High Street in the town. There is also a parking area for up to 12 vehicles and a pedestrian access on to Main Street.

Rowallane councillors Billy Walker and Terry Andrews have welcomed the plan to finally upgrade Harmony Way which was previously to be included in Ballynahinch’s environmental improvement scheme. Work did not proceed due to financial restraints.

Councillor Walker said while there was disappointment this part of the market town was excluded from the multi-million pound regeneration scheme, the proposed upgrade will be warmly welcomed.

“Harmony Way has fallen into disrepair, is littered with huge pot holes and there is poor drainage. While the pot holes have been filled in on numerous occasions over the years, there were never any permanent repairs. The short term measures did not address the issue but that is all set to change,” said councillor Walker.

“The poor state of Harmony Way was a major health and safety issue and many people avoided the area as a result. The pot holes damaged cars and when they were filled with water their true depth was disguised which led to difficulties for drivers and pedestrians.”

He added: “I would ask people to be patient while the work is carried out and have no doubt they will be delighted with the completed scheme which will hopefully assist the regeneration of this part of the town.”

Councillor Andrews said the Harmony Way scheme will provide a welcome boost for businesses, shoppers and market traders and hopes the planned improvement will be carried out as soon as possible.

“This scheme is long overdue. It was to have featured in the town’s regeneration scheme but the work did not proceed. The former Down Council was keen to tackle the issues at Harmony Way but its efforts met with little success,” he said.

Councillor Andrews added: “The fact a civil engineer and contractor are to be appointed to oversee the proposed improvements is good news for Ballynahinch. A significant amount of money is being invested in the scheme and I am pleased it will soon progress.”