Knockmore Road traffic issues raised

A meeting has been held to discuss on-going planning and roads infrastructure issues along the Knockmore Road in Lisburn.
DRD Minister Danny Kennedy and DOE Minister Mark Durkan  with Paul Givan MLA.DRD Minister Danny Kennedy and DOE Minister Mark Durkan  with Paul Givan MLA.
DRD Minister Danny Kennedy and DOE Minister Mark Durkan with Paul Givan MLA.

It was organised following calls from Lagan Valley Assembly Member Paul Givan and Alderman William Leathem for Ministerial intervention.

Speaking after the meeting with Environment Minister Mark H Durkan and the Roads Minister Danny Kennedy Mr Givan said: “Ten years ago outline planning approval was granted for 1,800 houses to be built in what was commonly known as the Brokerstown Village.

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“To facilitate this development almost £4m of roads improvements was identified at the junctions along the Knockmore Road including the Ballinderry, Brokerstown and Prince William Road. So far 306 houses have been built but no improvements to the road infrastructure, which is one of the heaviest congested roads in Lisburn, has been carried out.”

He continued: “The agreements reached with developers are clearly not being implemented and urgent action is needed to resolve any contractural issues with the developers and statutory agencies to carry out the required improvements.”

“I impressed on the Ministers that congestion is a major problem and road safety is being compromised at the junctions along the Knockmore Road for both vehicles and pedestrians.”

He added: “We support this part of Lisburn being developed but the infrastructure needs to be put in place to support it and the Roads and Planning Service need to take the initiative and bring forward a plan that will deliver what is needed for existing and future residents.

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Mr Leathem said; “It is imperative that traffic is managed satisfactorily and to the safest of standards for our residents.

“I would urge the two Ministers to have further discussions with the relevant senior civil servants and undertake the necessary traffic assessments to identify all amendments needed to the existing road infrastructure to allow residents to get safely and in a reasonable time from their home to their child’s school or workplace.”

He added: “I look forward to meeting with the Ministers again in seven weeks to discuss the views on how compliance can be sought in this legally binding Article 40 Agreement that will ensure the proper road infrastructure is in place to accommodate the new residences constructed by the Carvill Group, Antrim Construction and Dingle Builders.”