'Traffic lights' could be solution - McIlroy

DUP representative Robert McIlroy said lights could be used to allow traffic to travel one way through often-congested Ann Street whilst traffic coming from the opposite direction is held back and vice-versa.

He said something radical is needed after complaints of delays of 15 minutes and more in recent weeks.

Cllr McIlroy said they had to take the "bull by the horns" and as well as putting in traffic lights - even on a temporary basis - they need loading bays and parking on both sides of the street.

Independent councillor Seamus Blaney said loading bays are needed but said the lights plan could perhaps wait.

Independent councillor Paudie McShane said traffic lights could be a problem being close to a zebra crossing.

Councillors are to establish a 'workshop' to try and get a solution to the problem which has plagued the town for years.

Cllr Oliver McMullan (Sinn Fein) said people from the Glens will not come to Ballycastle to shop because of the hold-ups and instead go to Ballymena and Ballycastle SDLP councillor Madeline Black said she knows people who live in the town who will not venture up or down Ann Street except before 9am or after 6pm.

She said on occasions three delivery lorries park in a row and she said one day there were "twelve traffic jams".

Cllr Blaney said he knows of three elderly people who missed appointments at Coleraine Hospital after they were snared in congestion at Ann Street.

He said loading bays are needed and he slammed traders who he felt were not helping the problem.

Cllr Blaney said: "It is time people had free passage up their own street without shopkeepers blocking them."

He said a post van did a U-turn because of the traffic and he asked: "In what other town do you see that?"

And he feared what would happen if there was a fire and the Fire Service couldn't get through the congestion.

Ulster Unionist councillor Helen Harding says she receives complaints "day in and day out" about congestion at Ann Street.

Councillor Paudie McShane said the situation is "absolutely ridiculous" and said there are over 600 vehicle deliveries a week and quite a lot of lorries stop in the middle of the road.

He said it can be frustrating for people trying to travel through the town and he said the Town Centre Partnership and Chamber of Commerce are looking at the situation.

Council Chairperson, Independent councillor Price McConaghy, said he avoids Ann Street at peak times.

Sinn Fein councillor Cara McShane said there are huge infrastructure issues and said a major problem could not just be dealt with with a "sticky plaster".

Independent councillor Randal McDonnell said one problem is that signs direct through traffic into Ann Street and said such vehicles should be sent along North Street and Clare Road instead.