Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

NEW SIGNAGE IMPROVEMENTS COULD SAVE LIVES

Published: 21 October, 2009

Sinn Féin councillor Mary Doyle has praised the speed at which the Roads Service has moved on improving the roads signage on the main Armagh/Monaghan road. Cllr Doyle said that the signage was much needed at a number of extremely bad bends near the Fernaloy road.

Commenting on the improvements Cllr Doyle said:

"I had previously reported the frequent and numerous accidents which occurred here as a family living nearby had told me that they were in fear of their lives.

"A meeting then took place with officials from the Roads Safety section of DRD, the residents, MLA Cathal Boylan and myself. We discussed the need for major work on the road to improve safety and prevent fatalities. These measures included the short term signage and a longer term road improvement scheme. The residents pointed out where many of the collisions had occurred and stated that many vehicles had landed in their garden. The officials agreed that this is an area which needed attention and agreed to erect signage to clearly mark out the dangers.

"I want commend the Roads Safety section on their assessment of the area and for installing a number of very clear and vibrant signs. This leaves roads users in no doubt of the dangers which lie ahead.

Cllr Doyle also urged drivers to heed the signs and drive carefully.

"I have recently spoken to Roads Service officials for an update on the issue of a longer term road improvement scheme, they informed me that they are at the stage of assessing and planning what would best suit the road. Although this may take a long period of time to pass through all the appropriate departments, and finance is always a problem, I am very optimistic that eventually Roads Service will improve this stretch of road and I will continue to work with them on this issue."