Traffic chaos fears allayed

The companies were responding to concerns that temporary traffic signals and lane restrictions on the busy commuter routes could still be in force when the schools go back after the summer holidays.

The restricted traffic flow on both roads has been causing major hold-ups for motorists for a number of weeks. But some drivers have expressed fears that if the lane closures are still in place when the number of cars on the roads increases during school term time, local people will be left facing traffic chaos.

One Greenisland resident, who didn’t want to be named, contacted the Times this week about the situation.

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“The traffic is bad enough at the minute, but if all this work is still going on when the schools go back it’s going to be an absolute nightmare,” he warned.

“Traffic is already queued back on the back road (Upper Road) and Shore Road in the mornings and evenings during term time, so if the lane restrictions on both roads are still in place after next week it’s going to be complete gridlock.

“I know that the work has to be done and it can’t be done without some disruption to people’s everyday lives, but there needs to be some common sense used and the work should be carried out when there’s less traffic about.”

Responding to the worried motorist’s concerns, a spokesperson for NI Water gave an assurance that work to upgrade the water supply infrastructure in the Upper Road area of Greenisland is due to be completed before the start of the new school term.

“Once complete, this £530,000 project will reduce the number of bursts; the upgraded watermains will improve the reliability of the water supply, the quality of the drinking water and also help to reduce leakage,” she explained.

“NI Water can confirm that we are on schedule to complete this improvement work by the end of August 2012, and therefore will not affect the increased traffic in the new school term.

“NI Water and its contractor Farrans Utilities would like to thank customers, businesses and road users for their continued co-operation and patience during this essential improvement work.”

A spokesman for Phoenix Gas confirmed that gas mains laying work along the Shore Road at Whiteabbey should also be finished before the end of the month.

“The contractor is aware that the schools will be going back after the holidays and the job is scheduled to be finished by the end of next week,” he commented.

Meanwhile, local motorists can expect more traffic disruption when work on the long-awaited A2 Shore Road widening scheme between Jordanstown and Greenisland begins early next year.