Traffic concerns over Victoria Street housing plans

A number of local councillors have expressed concern over a planning application for a residential development to the rear of Victoria Street in Carrickfergus.

The plans, consisting of a block of four apartments and eight townhouses, have been approved by the Department of the Environment’s Planning Service.

Discussing the application at Monday night’s meeting of the local authority, several members queried both traffic management and the availability of parking around the proposed development, situated behind 13-37 Victoria Street.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Drawing attention to existing levels of traffic congestion at the nearby Victoria Street/St Bride’s Street junction, Councillor Billy Hamilton said: “Anyone who uses that junction will know how hard it is to get out of during rush hour as it is.

“That is a very busy street both traffic wise and with pedestrians; cars can be tailed back from the junction to the station car park during busy times.

“In this day and age there are very few households with only one car.

“This is only going to add to the hassle for anyone who uses that area.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Meanwhile, Alderman Jim Brown suggested that the density of homes in the proposed development may cause problems.

“There are 12 proposed houses and for each of these at least one parking space; perhaps if there were fewer houses there would be more space for parking,” he said.

A proposal from Cllr Hamilton that an office meeting be held over the application was seconded by Ald Brown.

Related topics: