Closure leads to fury

The Ballynamoney Road was closed last weekend from the roundabout at Goodyear to the Corner House for resurfacing.

SDLP councillor Declan McAlinden said he was inundated with calls over the weekend about the closure.

“People in the area were very angry that they received no prior warning about these road works,” he said.

“Some people were coming home from work on Friday evening only to find that their route home had been blocked off. In many cases, it turned a 10 minute journey into a 40 minute journey.

“I have no objection to road works being carried out. The issue here is inadequate communication and lack of notification.”

A spokesperson for Roads Service said signs had been erected a week before the work was due to start.

“Road Service closed part of Ballynamony Road to through traffic last weekend, in order to comply with Health and Safety Regulations, while the resurfacing works were being carried out,” said the spokesperson.

“Advance warning signs of the works were erected in the locality a week in advance of the commencement of the work.”

The spokesperson also pointed out that the road will be closed again this weekend.

Traffic will be diverted via Silverwood Road, Kinnego Embankment, Lough Road, Kiln Road, Silverwood Road, Francis Street, Portadown Road and Eastway.

Roads Service apologised to road users for the unavoidable disruption during the summer period and requested that motorists continue to exercise patience whilst improvements are being carried out.