Where was motorist’s shared spaceto drive safely through local village?

SIR, — Last Thursday, June 30, my son-in-law and his 16 year-old son were heading home to Downpatrick around 1.30am.

My grandson had been playing his first gig with his band so you can imagine he was happy and excited. On arrival in Clough, a group of young people and an adult were erecting flags and an arch across the road.

My son-in-law asked if they would move over so he could pass. His car was hit with bottles and stones and further along the road his car was attacked again, this time with a digger, breaking the car windscreen.

You can imagine my son-in-law was fearful for himself, but more so for his young son. When he arrived home he was badly shaken, but telephoned the police who asked him the make of his car.

My son-in-law was told that police had received a call to inform them that the driver of the car he said he was driving had tried to run into the crowd. My son-in-law explained what happened and was told that as there was no CCTV in the area there was nothing that could be done.

Maybe I am mistaken, but surely CCTV would be installed at the store near Clough roundabout. My son-in-law at no time tried to drive into this crowd of people. His thoughts were to get himself and his son home safely.

Now, at great cost to himself, he has to pay for the damage to his car which amounts to £200 plus, These people talk daily about shared space. Where was my son-in-law’s shared space and his right to drive safely to get his family home?

Yours etc,

CONCERNED AND ANGRY.

(Name and address supplied).