Road deaths prompt new railings plan

Road deaths prompt new railings plan

9 December 2015

ROADS officials have bowed to public pressure and agreed to provide new pedestrian railings at the top of Windmill Street in Ballynahinch.

Two pensioners have been killed in separate incidents after being struck by vehicles at this part of the town while a third lost a leg after being struck by a lorry while crossing the busy road.

The latest pensioner to die was Pat Branniff (86) from Dromara who was killed last August after he was struck by a tipper lorry in Windmill Street as he was making his weekly visit to Ballynahinch market. The incident happened close to the High Street junction.

Roads officials are to erect railings on the town square side of Windmill Street close to the junction with High Street, but barriers will not be erected on the opposite side of the road as the footpath is not wide enough.

Rowallane councillor, Billy Walker, who was one of several politicians lobbying for new pedestrian railings, is pleased these will soon be in place and is confident it will help make this particularly busy part of the market town safer for pedestrians.

He said this location is a “dangerous area” but the new railings are designed to funnel pedestrians towards a dedicated crossing and ensure they cannot step out into the road from the town square side.

“Work is required to make this part of Ballynahinch town centre safer. Windmill Street, which is part of the town’s one-way traffic system, carries an increasingly huge volume of traffic and is not a safe area for the public. I would appeal to people, especially the elderly, to use the dedicated pedestrian crossing which is in place at this part of the town,” continued councillor Walker.

He added: “I am pleased roads officials have listened to the concerns of both the public and politicians and have agreed to provide the new railings. While the railings will only be located on one side of the road, I have no doubt it will enhance pedestrian safety.

“Roads officials have informed me the footpath on the opposite side of Windmill Street is not wide enough to provide new railings and I would appeal to people calling at business premises at this part of the town to please use the pedestrian crossing.”