‘Potential deathtrap’ cleared at Drumahoe

NOTICE has been served on a landowner in Drumahoe, requiring the removal of a hazard blamed for a build-up of silt and mud, which has caused problems for motorists at the mouth of a T-junction.

The junction in question is on the outskirts of Drumahoe and Roads Service took action after they were alerted last week to the dangers posed by dirt and muck being washed down a hill running from Gortree Road to a junction with Fincairn Road by DUP Alderman Gary Middleton.

Mr Middleton said he was seeking an urgent meeting with Roads Service to discuss what could be done to prevent silt and muck building up at the junction, which he said made driving conditions treacherous for motorists.

“The road is in a bad state. It is inches thick with dirt and muck. I came down in the car, and even though I was only going at 5pm I could not get stopped. It was very, very scary,” he said.

“It seems that there is water running off fields and it is pooling at the bottom of Gortree Road where all the muck and dirt is settling on the road surface. It is very worrying and this road needs to be cleaned as soon as possible. I have been in contact with Roads Service and they have told me they will be out to clean it.

“However, cleaning is not the solution, it is only a temporary measure, because this is going to be a recurring problem and I would like to know what is going to be done to prevent that junction from silting up again and becoming a potential death trap all over again,” he said.

“I am hoping I will be able to have a meting with Roads Service officials at the site so see if some of the corners and verges can be cleared and cut back, which might solve part of the problem.

“However, it could be that that road needs gullies or culverting because the stream of water coming down that road is full of dirt and debris.

“It is very clearly dangerous. Local motorists are okay because they know what to expect, but someone like me who is not expecting to hit sludge at the junction get a real shock as their car begins to slide out onto Fincairn Road. Hopefully Roads Service will be able to clear up this matter with a long-term solution that removes the danger to traffic and road users,” he said.

Following Mr Middleton’s complaint, the area was cleared.

And a Roads Service spokesperson said: “Roads Service is aware that mud is being washed onto the junction at Gortree Road and Fincairn Road. The matter has been investigated and the source has been traced to a hazard in a nearby private field. Notice has been served on the landowner to remove the hazard.”

They added: “Roads Service will continue to monitor the situation.”

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