Joy as Gilford road signs to be erected

Additional signage is to be erected at both Whinney Hill and Stramore Road in the New Year following pressure by the local residents’ group and public representatives.

Residents had become concerned about speeding, with fears for children in the aftermath of the Cloughmills tragedy last month.

Gilford Concerned Residents Group spokespeople Mrs Mary Quinn and Mr Timothy Mayes said, “The residents on the hill, in particular those living on the crest of the hill, are very concerned for their and their children’s safety due to the heavy volume of traffic, large vehicles and excessive speed.

“Over the past two years one resident has experienced two occasions of speeding cars crashing through her garden wall into her garden.

“On the top of the hill, where the road is relatively narrow, residents have very limited parking facilities and getting young children in and out of their cars is dangerous as cars often speed past at very close range.”

DUP MP David Simpson and MLA Sydney Anderson said “accidents were waiting to happen” at both Whinney Hill and Stramore Road.

“We are delighted that Roads Service have given a commitment that they will increase the size of the speed limit entry signs at both 
locations to help increase their visibility to motorists and whilst long term 
we would desire to see traffic calming measures in place we believe that this first step 
wwill go someway to slowing traffic.

“We have been given confirmation that the signs have been ordered and should be
in place early in the new 
year.”