Pound Street junction safety concerns raised

Councillor Paul Reid, who lives near the busy A8 junction, witnessed a driver being cut out of her car following a two-car road traffic collision on June 13.

The two drivers involved were taken to hospital, and their injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.

Cllr Reid and Cllr Gregg McKeen are now seeking to meet with Transport Minister Danny Kennedy to discuss the junction. Cllr Reid commented: “We are deeply concerned about the increase of road traffic collisions on the A8 dual carriageway from the Antiville roundabout to Pound Street junction. That junction is confusing for drivers and I have even seen some turn right and drive up the dual carriageway against the flow of traffic. We raised the issue with Transport NI before and we want to meet with the Minister before a fatality occurs.”

Cllr Reid is also calling for a greater police presence to enforce the speed limit. He believes the junction could be made safer by replacing it with a roundabout, or a left turn only measure.

“If it saves one more life is it not worth a few extra miles on the journey?” he asked.

“The left turn on the Glenarm Road dual carriageway is a fantastic safety measure.”

A TransportNI spokesperson stated: “TransportNI has undertaken several road safety measures at this particular junction in the past which have had a positive effect on both road safety and traffic progression. In addition, the existing road markings were refreshed earlier this year as part of on-going road safety measures on A8 Harbour Highway. As a priority, a TNI Traffic Management officer will contact PSNI to discuss the recent road traffic collisions. Should causation factors be determined following the conclusion of their investigations, TransportNI will work in partnership with PSNI to establish if further engineering measures can be introduced to increase road safety at this junction.”