Roads Service to carrry out survey on Loughgall Road
Rev Elizabeth Cairns at st Columba's Church. INPT0313-114gc
A PEDESTRIAN crossing could be erected on the Loughgall Road following an accident last Sunday evening in which a pensioner was knocked down and critically injured.
Mr Alec McMullen (78) remains in a critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit of the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast.
The former school patrolman was struck by a car as he attempted to cross the road close to the Spar garage and St Columba’s Parish Church.
On Tuesday, two representatives of DRD Roads Service met a group of five local people to discuss safety measures on the road, and it was agreed a traffic survey would be carried out.
The group included Councillor Darryn Causby, vicar of St Columba’s the Rev Elizabeth Cairns, Karl Black, secretary of Corcrain and Redmanville Community Partnership, a local resident and a member of the church.
Councillor Causby, who had first contacted Roads Service last February amid residents’ concerns, said the meeting had been “quite constructive”.
He said, “Roads Service have agreed to carry out a survey of this stretch of road, which would assess factors such as the number of pedestrians and the volume of traffic.
“It is unfortunate that it has taken a serious accident for the DRD to pay attention to what we have been saying.”
Cllr Causby said that after he first contacted the DRD in February, a traffic calming assessment was carried out which deemed the road to be only medium priority, but that his requests for a subsequent site meeting were ignored.
He added, “We also made the point on Tuesday that we would like a traffic island at the head of the Loughgall Road, where young people cross from O’Hara’s and Clounagh School, similar to the one at the top of the Brownstown Road.
“There are about 1,000 residents in the area and every resident who uses the shop or the church or the Chinese restaurant has to cross the Loughgall Road.
“Lorries parking and blocking views is another problem which we raised. There are a number of complex issues which are all contributing factors to safety.”
Cllr Causby added that even if the assessment concluded that no action is needed, he would be “keeping the pressure on and continuing to fight to ensure something is done one way or the other”.
Karl Black said he felt the meeting had been positive and pointed out the residents were pushing for some sort of crossing with lights, rather than speed ramps. “It would take longer to instal the ramps than it would to erect a crossing. Of course, we would have to see where the best place is for a crossing - somewhere close to the filling station and shop if possible,” he said.
It is believed the survey could be carried out some time next month.
A Roads Service spokesperson said:, “Roads Service officials had a useful meeting with local residents and representatives of St Columba’s Church. Our officials have agreed to carry out a survey to determine if a pedestrian crossing is required.”
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Saturday 25 May 2013
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