Spare a thought for others in traffic debate

SIR, — The Down Recorder has highlighted on-going demands for a one-way traffic system in Edward Street.

Having recently driven in the area at school finishing time, I can appreciate the dangers to the children, the misery for local residents and the frustration for motorists.

However, while this one-way proposal just might offer a partial and short-term solution, consideration must also be given to the residents of neighbouring areas and to the wider issues involved.

For example, the Ardmore Avenue area has two busy children’s play parks at either end, large numbers of young people use the area to walk to and from St. Patrick’s and De La Salle schools, and currently it is impossible to exit on to Fountain Street during busy traffic periods.

Surely there will be an adverse affect if the one-way proposal goes ahead.

What I would like to know is whether or not the Edward Street problem is a twice-daily, term-time school related issue or is it part of an overall lack of good traffic management in Downpatrick as a whole?

Did our councillors and planners not foresee an increased traffic problem associated with the developments on the Downshire Hospital site?

Whatever it is, can we not look at wider traffic issues and possible solutions?

Yes, a small car park beside Knocknashinna Road might help, so might the use of the large site of the former St. Patrick’s Boys’ Primary School as a supervised “park and walk” facility for both the Edward Street and St. Mary’s schools. Is 200 yards too far for many of our children to walk?

Did their parents and grandparents not walk to school?

Finally, councillors, don’t keep berating the 25 objectors to a one-way system, they have a right to object.

Instead, listen to them and come and tell them how they will benefit from an increased share of the 3,000 vehicles (Down Recorder, June 13), which will come into their streets.

Explain also your plans for a 21st century traffic system for Downpatrick including play areas, pedestrian precincts, cycle routes and god overall management.

Yours etc.,

Gerry Ryan,

Ardmore Avenue

Downpatrick.