‘Alternative measures’ could be used on Plantation Road

In response to your article in the Star printed March 11 I like many others wholeheartedly agree with the comments expressed by Mr. Nicholl which are deemed entirely accurate by the majority of residents who live on this road.

In relation to the one voice of dissent I have heard in the community and referred to in your article it is totally inaccurate to suggest that the residents of the Plantation Road are faced only with an ultimatum to “either accept the Roads Service Department’s proposals or risk the lives of the children we see every day”.

I would like to make the person who stated such a scenario aware that the roads are not a playground for children and the safety and inclusion of teenagers, adults, elderly and the infirm are also worthy of consideration and respect.

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Whilst the comments of this one dissenter to Mr. Nicholl’s point of view and the traffic survey assessment provided by a DRD spokesperson are entitled to be expressed, the following provides facts that I would ask all Plantation Road residents to bear in mind when considering whether or not to accept or object within the 31 days given by the DOE to their so called traffic calming proposals.

Please examine these facts, when travelling in or out of Lisburn, the Plantation Road is one of the safest roads you can use.

In 30 years there has been one reported vehicular incident, no pedestrians of whatever age have been involved in a traffic accident and rarely, if ever, have the local Police been obliged to issue tickets for speeding. Hardly consistent with what you would expect prior to lumbering the local rate payers with the costs of 11 traffic calming measures on a road of approximately 800 metres in length.

One point that I feel has been overlooked in this debate and I believe worthy of comment is that having a rural road like ours destroyed with these humps will have a negative effect on property valuations. I of course would never equate the value of property above the safety of road users but it is something worth bearing in mind.

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Also please be mindful of the safety aspect of having to stop/start up to 11 times to negotiate these road impediments, possibly several times daily and particularly in the winter months.

I am fully conscious that drivers are breaking the law if they drive in excess of the speed limits anywhere and should drive their vehicles accordingly but I am equally conscious that parents should make the appropriate effort to educate their children in correct road safety measures. Such knowledge will not only help to protect them on the Plantation Road but wherever they go.

I know it is easy to knock proposals without providing a viable alternative and for what it is worth I, after discussion with other residents I would recommend road rumble strips be placed 100 metres before large and clear 30 mph speed signs, two fully functional speed cameras with signs sited appropriately and the provision of traffic lights at the intersection with the Saintfield Road which seems to get busier daily. Lets give measures such as these or something similar an 18 month trial, and if deemed inadequate at that time the matter can be revisited.

Mr Rooney,

Plantation Road

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