Hillsborough weight restriction welcomed

Mrs Hale has been campaigning for the introduction of this measure for some time.

“After five years of consistent lobbying, in 2015 Roads Service finally agreed in principle to my calls for weight restriction measures to tackle the problem of HGVs using the Hillsborough to Culcavy through route as a ‘rat run’,” said Mrs Hale.

“I am delighted that the DRD Minister Michelle McIlveen recognises the obligations place around traffic management by the 1974 Conservation Order that protects the village and has given the green light to proceed with ‘phase 1’ of these measures. I would also like to thank the Department for Regional Development Committee for its support, including the former Chair, Jimmy Spratt.

“I am confident that we will see real benefits as a result of this scheme, but if it does not fully address this on-going problem then a second phase covering a wider area can be implemented.

“Traffic management within the greater Hillsborough/Culcavy area will still continue to be a challenge until the Knockmore Link is progressed and there are discussions with the Minister and Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council to look at funding options.”

For full details and reaction to the weight restriction in the village, see this week’s Star.