Roads officials ready to unveil results of survey

Roads officials ready to unveil results of survey

26 November 2014

RESOLVING Downpatrick town centre’s chronic traffic congestion problems are to top the agenda during special meeting in the New Year.

Roads officials are planning to sit down with local politicians and the business community to discuss the detail of a major traffic study which has been undertaken.

The district’s most senior roads chief, Mr. Simon Richardson, confirmed news of the proposed meeting to discuss the congestion issue when he met with local politicians on Monday night.

He said while there have been a number of traffic surveys carried out over the years, he wanted the document due to be discussed in the New Year to be an “all encompassing study” which looks at the entire town centre area.

Mr. Richardson said he wants to sit down with all the key players to discuss the recommendations in the study — which have not yet been made public — to decide if they are feasible and “if we can do this, that or the other.”

He said one survey he viewed did not cover the whole of Downpatrick and he did not want the report tabled before councillors as he believed they “would have been expecting more from the document.”

He continued: “Whether people will be satisfied when they see the report I can’t guarantee that, but I hope they will recognise it is a comprehensive report in relation to the traffic study. The final draft is being prepared by consultants and a meeting with local representatives and the business sector to discuss its detail will happen after the Christmas holidays.”

Councillor Dermot Curran welcomed the planned meeting and said it’s vital people make the most of the opportunity which is being presented to plot a way forward for a vibrant town centre.

“It is vital we all work together on this issue. If we do not come up with a plan the town centre will die. Shops are closing and people are shopping elsewhere and we need to arrest this decline. We need to finally crack a congestion issue which has blighted the town for too long,” he declared.

“Downpatrick will die if we do not get to grips with the congestion issue. I welcome the fact that roads officials are at last going to sit down with the business community to move the issue forward.”

Councillor Curran said while the congestion issue has been top of Down Council’s agenda for many years, there is frustration that money to address similar issues in other parts of the Province was made available and the situation addressed.

“I hope we are now reaching a stage where we will see positive action that will not only address the congestion issue, but allow Downpatrick to take steps to becoming a vibrant retail hub again, boosting the economy and creating jobs.”

Councillor Curran added: “I am delighted there is a willingness and commitment for us all to sit down together to solve the congestion problem once and for all.”

Councillor Cadogan Enright said he felt “less positive” about the traffic survey and expressed disappointment that schemes for a one-way system in Edward Street and improvements to various town centre junctions did not feature in the Road Service proposals for the new financial year.

He also highlighted the positive impact a new road linking the Ballydugan and Vianstown roads would have on town centre congestion, facilitating drivers making their way to the Downshire Civic Centre and new Downe Hospital in particular.