Car crashes into gardens for the seventh time
The latest car to end up in the gardens of these houses at Calvertstown Road, Bleary. INPT4912-126gc
A BLEARY resident is warning that it’s only a matter of time before someone is killed on the Calvertstown Road, after a motorist veered into the gardens of two houses - the seventh such incident at this spot in two years.
The accident took place on Wednesday morning around 8am at a row of six houses when the driver lost control on the icy road.
She escaped injury but was left badly shaken and the car severely damaged.
The father of a woman who lives in one of the houses said, “My son-in-law had just come in from a night shift and was lying on the sofa when it happened. This is the seventh time in two years a car has crashed into their garden but the DRD refuses to grit the road.”
The man, a member of a Bleary residents’ association, said he had spoken to a number of other residents who had witnessed other incidents on the day. He said, “One man said his son was trying to put grit on the road on Wednesday morning and had to jump onto the footpath when a car came sliding sideways across the road.
“And on the other end of the road, a motorist hit a lamppost was but able to drive on afterwards. There are high trees along this stretch of road and the sun doesn’t get through so the ice doesn’t melt.”
He added, “My wife has been on to the DRD as have other residents but they have been informed it’s a low priority road and it could be two years before anything is done.
“ The road was resurfaced about a year ago at a huge cost but there isn’t enough money to spread a bit of grit on it. Bleary Road isn’t on the gritting schedule either and there are 1,500 odd houses in the Bleary area. I know everyone’s rates are put into a pot but I don’t think Bleary is getting its fair share.”
DUP councillor Stephen Moutray visited the scene on Wednesday morning and said he is determined to see action taken. He said, “I have put in a request to the DRD for them to put the Calvertstown Road on the gritting schedule and I will not be taking no for an answer.
“DRD needs to take responsibility. This is a very busy road which is used as a shortcut.
“If someone had been walking along the footpath they could have been killed. If it is not sorted out locally I will be taking it to the Minister.”
DRD Spokesperson said: “Roads Service has considered a request for Calvertstown Road in Bleary to be included in the routing gritting schedule. One of the factors in the assessment is the availability to through traffic of a reasonable alternative route already included in the gritting schedule. Alternative routes are readily available in this case.
“While Roads Service has already provided a grit box or grit pile nearby, at the Junction of Claverstown Manor close to the Bleary Road for the use of residents, it is currently assessing a further request for an additional grit box to be located at Calverstown Road.”
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Weather for Portadown
Wednesday 19 June 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
