Traffic lights 'not a high priority' at Carrick junctions - DfI

Over 1,000 people have signed a petition calling for the lights at the North Road's junctions with Marshallstown Road/Middle Road and Prince Andrew Way.

"As most of us know who live and commute to Carrickfergus at busy periods e.g schools, rush hour, turning right at the top of the North Road is a nightmare," wrote the petition's founder, Staceyanne Chambers.

"Now with the building of a new housing estate the traffic is just going to get worse, which will cause longer waiting times just to turn right [and] queues right down the North Road. Traffic lights would help keep everything moving smoothly and avoid accidents as well.

"Prince Andrew Way junction is also another problem area. It is a very dangerous junction for turning into North Road, not only at busy periods but throughout the day."

East Antrim MLA John Stewart added that he had met with TransportNI officials after being contacted by a number of constituents over the issue.

Responding, a Department for Infrastructure spokesperson said: "The Department carried out an assessment at the junction of Marshallstown Rd/Middle Rd and North Rd in March 2018.

"This took into account traffic volumes, queue lengths, delays, collision history and pedestrian movements and confirmed that while there was queuing for traffic from North Rd during the morning peak, the delays were not considered to be excessive.

"The junction of North Rd and Prince Andrew Way was assessed in 2014 when it was also confirmed that delays were not excessive at that time.

"Provision of traffic signals at these junctions is not considered to be a high priority compared with other potential traffic schemes in the area that are competing for limited available funding."