Adger in A-26 appeal

At a special Council meeting held last week with the Roads body, Cllr Beth Adger requested signage that would remind motorists of the speed limit (60mph) and make them aware of the potential for emerging traffic from crossings along the route, not least at the Rosses Factory junction which was the scene of a recent fatal traffic collision.

“I brought the issue up and told Roads Service that people simply don’t realise what speed they are doing coming over that hill. This is a very fast stretch of road and it is very dangerous,” said Cllr Adger who said she was delighted that Roads Service had agreed to “take away” her suggestion for further consideration.

They agreed a similar course of action for her suggestion that flashing lights were needed for the safety of pedestrians and traffic accessing the nearby Carnaghts School.

The Deputy Mayor also took the opportunity to raise with Roads Service representatives the need for the return of a pedestrian island on the Antrim Road to facilitate people crossing to the shops and Child Care Centre at Ballee.

And Roads Service also heard from her of requests from residents at Woodgreen near Kells for a play park in the area.

Her appeal for action on the A26 dual carriageway was backed by Alliance Councillor Jayne Dunlop who highlighted the need to introduce traffic calming measures and reducing of the speed limit to 50 mph at the Rosses Factory junction.

She said: “Roads Service informed us that as this is a main arterial route it is important to enable traffic to move quickly and freely along it.

“The recent accident is being investigated by the PSNI and Roads Service representatives were unable to comment on the details while this is in progress. If the investigation showed that there was something that could be done to improve safety then the Roads Service would respond to that.

“Obviously nothing will be done in the near future and we need to monitor the situation and Roads Service’s response over the longer term,” said Cllr Dunlop.