Traffic hold ups infuriate Lisburn drivers

They say something must be done to co ordinate when the works are being carried out as diversions and long queues are literally driving people away from the city.

One Lisburn resident said: “I hate inefficiency and government agencies not thinking things through. Increased travel journeys are a waste of time and something needs to be done about this.”

A DRD Roads Service spokesperson said: “In January Minister Danny Kennedy welcomed an additional £7 million funding for roads and people from the Lisburn area are benefiting from this with an investment in a number of road improvement schemes. Work finished Monday 12th on the Saintfield Road works and all others are due to complete by the end of March.

“Roads Service is aware of and apologies for the temporary inconvenience to travellers and thanks them for their patience while these improvement schemes are taking place.”

Councillor Uel Mackin has been conatacted by a number of drivers who have been affected by the works taking place. He said I welcome the improvements to roads and footpaths in the area but I do question the management and timing of the works being carried out. Closing arterial routes recently beggered belief and I can see why drivers are frustrated.”

Meanwhile an NI Water spokesman said: “NI Water is currently working on the Ballynahinch Road in Lisburn to upgrade the watermains in the area. We are currently investing approximately £3.5 million in the Water Mains Improvement Programme for the area.

“NI Water works closely with Roads Service to co-ordinate our planned improvement works. A traffic management plan is always agreed as part of these discussions.

“NI Water attend regular meetings with NIRAUC (NI Roads Authority and Utilities Committee) and currently hold the Utilities Chair this year. All work, by all utilities, is also co-ordinated through NISRANS (Northern Ireland Streetworks Register and Notification System).

“The work in Lisburn is essential to improve NI Water’s watermains network to enable a better service to be provided to our customers.

“NI Water would like to thank the public for their patience while we complete this programme of essential improvements to the water infrastructure. NI Water’s customer relations team can be contacted via Waterline on 08457 440088.”

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