‘Someone will be killed’ warn Silverwood residents

A lorry trailer became dislodged from the cab flying askew towards family homes at Knockramer on Thursday evening.

While police said no one was injured, residents voiced concern at the number of incidents involving lorries using the Silverwood Road.

The incident, which happened at around 6.45pm, caused traffic disruption for a considerable time.

Local resident Martin Lavery said the lorry was coming from the entrance of Silverwood Cold Stores onto the Silverwood Road. “It fell onto the grass, very close to the houses at Knockramer,” he said.

Mr Lavery said the entrance is used day in and day out, and 24 hours a day. “We have been campaigning for a number of years to try and get these lorries to use a different entrance,” said Mr Lavery.

He explained that this is not the first instance of this nature. “Residents are very concerned in case someone is seriously injured or death occurs,” he said.

Deputy Lord Mayor, Cllr Catherine Seeley said: “The back entrance is simply not fit for purpose and despite the fact that there is a perfectly good entrance facing the lakes this issue remains ongoing.

“I, along with local residents, have had countless engagements with the lorry drivers/companies to try and find a resolution but to no avail. We have also been in touch with one of the directors, however, this too has proved fruitless. Residents are distraught - worried that before long a lorry will be over the bank and into a garden. Fatalities are a real risk here. At this stage I have again written to the PSNI, DRD Roads Service and Planners seeking an immediate resolution to this increasingly dangerous situation.”

SDLP Cllr Declan McAlinden said his party will be seeking an urgent meeting with relevant agencies to ensure this issue is highlighted.

A TransportNI spokesperson said: “The private access to the business park is the responsibility of the landowner. TransportNI would be keen to discuss any proposals they may have to improve the safety of their private access.

“TransportNI has no plans to provide vehicle restraint at this location, however, we are currently progressing legislation to reduce the speed limit to 50mph.”