A 'long battle' to gain road traffic calming measures has finally come to an end for a local community

A “long battle” to install traffic calming measures on a Co Antrim road has come to an end with the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) finally giving approval after four years of planning.
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Planning for speed ramps on the Gobrana Road, Glenavy had been drawn up since October 2019 with approval by Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council (LCCC) in March 2020.

A Killultagh representative has campaigned for a number of years against high speeding vehicles in a built up residential zone.Cllr Gary McCleave said: “The residents of the area are delighted as it has been a long battle to try and get traffic calming along that stretch of road.

“It has been frustrating trying to get the project for traffic calming in these areas progressed.

Councillor Gary McCleave has welcomed the approval for the Glenavy traffic calming measuresCouncillor Gary McCleave has welcomed the approval for the Glenavy traffic calming measures
Councillor Gary McCleave has welcomed the approval for the Glenavy traffic calming measures

“The speed ramps are needed as you enter the residential area and the 30mph zone as motorists continue at high speed through a built up area.“The measures will now be brought forward by council and the job will now go out for tender.”

The Stormont department has confirmed that the Gobrana Road was the only project awaiting a decision for the council area with delays due to Covid and other priorities.

A DfI spokesperson said: “The traffic calming on a section of Gobrana Road in Glenavy was proposed as part of an Environment Improvement Scheme being carried out by Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council and approved in March 2020.

“On approval LCCC contacted the Department to follow up on the legislative aspect associated with the traffic calming measures proposed.

“Due to Covid restrictions and a number of other competing priorities, resources could not be allocated immediately to process this work request.“The consultation process ran from April 6, 2022 to May 9, 2022 and then from May 11, 2022 to June 13, 2022.

“As a result of the consultation the department had to carefully consider and respond to any objections and the full process was completed in January 2023.

“There are currently no further traffic calming schemes going through the legislative process in the Lisburn and Castlereagh area.”

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A LCCC spokesperson responded: “Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council is currently undertaking a procurement process to appoint a contractor.

“The planned traffic calming measures will include speed humps and speed cushions.”