Proposed changes to speed limits in Moneyslane area

Roads service informed Banbridge District Council of its plans to implement the changes which would see 40mph speed limits on the Moneyslane Road, Mill road, Millvale Road, Dromara Road and Eelwire Road reduced to 30mph.

The 40mph speed limit on the Katesbridge Road and Ballyward Road is to remain unaltered.

Councillor David Herron said the change is a move that is long overdue.

“I’m delighted, I’m really glad to see it,” said Councillor Herron.

“It’s about time we got these speed limits reduced, it’s something that has been needed.

“When the new school was first opened in Moneyslane I was disappointed that the limit then was kept at 40mph, however now due to extra houses going up in the area, they have decided to bring it down to 30mph.

“I also know that at the houses just past the school a lot of parents walk that way to bring their children to school, so it is a good move for them.”

Talking of enforcement of the reduced speed limits, councillor Herron said: “Now it’s just a matter of getting people to stick to the speed limit.

“I don’t think it should be too hard to police. People will see police out there a few times and realise they will have to reduce their speed.

“People should already know to be doing only 30mph in built up areas anyway and it’s expensive enough to keep a car on the road these days without having to pay speeding fines as well.

“At this time of year too it is just so hard to know what way the road will be - whether icy or wet or what, so a reduced speed limit is a good thing.

“I have met with residents regularly over this matter and always they have expressed concerns that the speed limit needed to be reduced to stop cars going so fast.

“We hope the new measures will be implemented in the near future - sometime into the new year, hopefully by the springtime.”