New flyover used as short cut to bypass roundabout gridlock

THE opening of the new flyover on the A1 at the Dromore Road junction at Hillsborough has led to motorists using the village a 'rat run' to try and avoid the huge build ups that occur on the Hillsborough roundabout durng the morning rush hour, Regional Development minister Conor Murphy has been told.

A delegation made up of representatives from the Hillsborough District Village Committee with local MP Jeffrey Donaldson and MLA Edwin Poots held a meeting with the Minister to discuss traffic concerns in the usually peaceful village.

They told him that since the completion of the flyover at the Dromore Road, traffic has been using it to leave the dual carriageway and detour through the village.

They then get prority at the heavily congested roundabout which has become one of Northern Ireland's busiest junctions during rush hour.

Mr Donaldson said: "We had an opportunity to talk to the DRD Minister and address the problems in Hilsborough Village."

He explained there was particular concern that heavy vehicle were using the 'shortcut'.

He said: "The fly over is welcome in terms of safety for motorists at the junction but nevertheless these unforseen circumstances are providing motorists with an opportunity to take a short cut."

Mr Donaldson said the Minister has indicated that Roads Service will look at the congestion in the village and see if measures can be found to alleviate the problems of a bottle neck at the roundabout and he hopes suitable measures can be put in place to improve the situation.