Carrickfergus: New pedestrian crossing proposed at college but Road Service told 'traffic strategy needed'
The proposed installation of a pedestrian crossing at Ulidia Integrated College in Carrickfergus has been welcomed by councillors.
The planned development was noted in DfI Roads Northern Division’s annual report to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, at a meeting of the Neighbourhoods and Communities Committee, at The Braid, in Ballymena, last week.
The report indicated a controlled crossing is proposed at Prince Andrew Way adjacent to the college.
Welcoming the proposal, Knockagh DUP Councillor Marc Collins described Prince Andrew Way as “an absolute disaster zone for traffic”.
Carrickfergus Castle Alderman Billy Ashe MBE said he “certainly welcomed” the planned crossing at Ulidia, adding it is “much-needed”. He asked if it would be to the left or right of the roundabout.
Ald Ashe emphasised that he has been asking DfI Roads for a traffic strategy for the area.
“It is absolute chaos Are we any closer to putting that into the budget or a serious look at it rather than one crossing? The traffic in the area is causing a blight on the area. People are moving out because of traffic implications,” he claimed.
He went on to say residents are “prisoners in the morning from 8.15am until after 9am” and “prisoners in the afternoon, from 2.30 pm until after 4pm”, when access to and from property is “extremely difficult”.
“I have been asking for a number of years about a review of overall strategy. I would suggest one crossing is not adequate. I have been a taxi driver in Belfast for 20 years. It is not as if I do not know what traffic is. Traffic in the area is causing a blight on the area.”
Alan Keys, divisional roads manager, said: “It is too much traffic for the space available, like other places There is only so much the road network can hold. There is only so much we can do.”
Mr Keys also suggested car sharing, cycling or walking. Ald Ashe insisted: “That whole area needs a serious look at it There are other developments going up in the area. I think we need to look at it as a whole.”
Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter