MP to meet over Moira traffic issues

He was speaking this week, after a female pedestrian in her 50’s died when she was knocked down while crossing the main street earlier this month.

He said that he had already planned to meet with the Department in the coming weeks again calling for the need for a ring road.

There has been a long running campaign to install a new junction on the M1 which has been touted as the most realistic means of solving worsening traffic congestion, in Moira.

The village enjoys the dubious distinction of seeing some of the longest tailbacks in Northern Ireland but the Roads Service have so far resisted pleas to fund a bypass.

Toome is one example of gridlock which was solved with a ring road but local politicians are mystified why a similar scheme for Moira remains on the longer finger.

Earlier this year residents, complained that officials need to sort out the ongoing traffic problems in the town before permission can be granted for any more homes.

Recently they complained about plans for 228 homes to be built at the old Moy Park factory, on the Clarehill Road/Meeting Street.

The village experiences daily tail backs onto the M1 slip road and also similarly to Magheralin,

Moira has 13,070 vehicles through it daily as well as 600 heavy good vehicles. 228 new homes would give the village at the very least a further 1,000 vehicles a day extensive development of Magheralin and it’s adjoining area could well add a further 3/5,000 vehicles a day.

Speaking about the accident, Mr Donaldson said: “This is an absolute tragedy and again highlights the need for a ring road in the village.

“Moira can be very congested with traffic. I do not know the circumstances into the accident - the amount of traffic in the village may not have been a contributing factor I dont know but we are meeting again about this issue.

“He said that he was plannning to meet with the Department to find out what radical changes can be made relating to the traffic problems.

“My fear about the near future is that should more houses be built it will also mean more traffic going through the village which shows a need for a relief road.

“In light of this tragedy I hope that the DRD should look again at the traffic issue. If there is a way of of easing traffic to make it more saf for all road users both pedetrians and motorists.”