Cunningham re-issues call for safety measures

WITH officials from DRD Roads Service in attendance at the Moyle Council meeting on November 12, Ballycastle SDLP Councillor Dónal Cunningham has re–issued his call for the introduction of road safety measures including road strengthening and the erection of marked impact barriers on a stretch of the Magheramore Road known locally as the “Quarry bends”. Previously the Department had indicated to Council that “the stretch of the road did not meet the current criteria for a ‘vehicle restraint system.”

However Councillor Cunningham felt that this response failed to take into the urgency of the matter and that a fuller explanation of the department’s rationale was required. He said: “Residents are concerned that this stretch of the very busy road is dangerous especially at night time and in periods of inclement weather. Part of the road is supported by a retaining wall put in place and strengthened by a neighbouring farmer. There is also evidence of damage to the road, which locals fear could cause subsidence. “The Magheramore Road (A44) is the main link road between Ballycastle and Armoy and serves as the main route from Ballycastle to Ballymena, Belfast and the Antrim Area Hospital. I will be urging Council to continue to press Roads Service to take urgent remedial action.”