MLA pushing for safety improvements at road junction

Lagan Valley MLA Brenda Hale recently received a reply from TransportNI in relation to concerns her office had raised with them about the number of accidents and collisions at the Leapogues Road/Ballynahinch Road/Edentrillick Road junction.

“TransportNI have committed to undertake an investigation into the feasibility of improving sightlines to the left and right of the Leapogues Road, at its junction with the Ballynahinch Road,” Mrs Hale explained. “This investigation will examine the options and costs associated with a potential junction improvement scheme and determine the overall priority of any potential scheme.”

The DUP representative continued: “TransportNI acknowledges that at this junction, sight distance along the main Ballynahinch Road is poor due to the crest on the Dromore side of the junction and that this may be a contributory factor to some of the collisions that have occurred. They also acknowledge that lowering this crest to improve sight distance is likely to be costly and would have to be prioritised with other schemes due to limited resources. TransportNI are looking into the possibility of improving the horizontal sightlines to the left and right of the Leapogues Road, which would allow them to monitor the situation, before any decision on a further scheme to lower the crest is considered.

“I await the outcome of TransportNI’s investigations and I will continue to lobby for continued road improvements in Lagan Valley.

“I also welcome news that high friction surfacing has been programmed for this financial year, weather permitting, at this junction, on both the Leapogues Road and Edentrillick Road approaches to the Ballynahinch Road.”