MLA revved up over speed fear

DUP Assemblyman Paul Frew pictured at Glenaan Park with concerned residents (top left) Theo Young, George Young and Emma Carson, and (bottom) Dean Young and Ricky Carson. (Submitted Picture).

The local DUP Assemblyman has met with residents of the development in Kells & Connor to assess the latest response from Transport NI on their call for traffic calming measures to be implemented.

Mr Frew had called for an assessment of the area to be undertaken to ascertain the need to introduce such measures as speed bumps.

He said, however, the latest correspondence from Transport NI found that vehicles were travelling at an average speed of 19.3mph and that due to the excellent road safety record at Glenaan Park the scheme would not rank highly enough to be considered in the traffic calming programme in the foreseeable future.

Commenting on the finding, Mr Frew told The Times: “I understand there is a policy for just about everything nowadays but I always find it incredulous that such criteria as collision history is included.

“People always ask why does it take someone to get hurt before action will be taken?”

“There is also another criteria used which is entitled ‘environmental factors‘,” Mr Frew said.

“This may well be the factor that should be explored.

“What does ‘environmental factors’ actually mean?

“What about the fact that there is a play park at the end of the road and that many young children will be in this area not least the children who live in Glenaan Park.

“There is also the Community Centre. This, of course, attracts young people and elderly but also increases traffic in the local area. Also If 19.3mph is the mean or average speed it means many are driving faster than that,” said Mr Frew.

He added: “I have written back to Transport NI asking them to reconsider this issue as it would only take two speed ramps to completely resolve the issue and allow parents and their children to enjoy their neighbourhood that little bit more.”