Cobbled road area to be resurfaced

Cobbled road area to be resurfaced

21 February 2018

A SECTION of cobbled paving at the top of Frederick Street in Killyleagh is to be resurfaced with tarmac.

The move has been agreed by roads officials who over recent years have had to carry out a series of running repairs at this part of the town as the stones have sunk, posing problems for motorists and damaging a number of cars.

The work forms part of a major resurfacing scheme which will extend from the top of Frederick Street along the Shrigley Road adjacent to Killyleagh Castle to beyond Killyleagh Integrated Primary School.

Details of the scheme were outlined last week when roads officials Gordon Trueman, Hugh Morgan and Stephen Duffy met with Rowallane councillors Billy Walker and Terry Andrews.

Cllr Walker said the cobbled area directly in front of Killyleagh Castle — which is located within the town’s conservation area — will not be affected by the resurfacing scheme.

“Frederick Street is very busy and is used by a large volume of traffic, including heavy lorries whose drivers are keen to avoid High Street which is narrower and often blocked by parked cars,” said Councillor Walker.

“Roads officials have been prepared for some time to tarmac over part of the cobbled area but were initially not allowed to do so by conservationists. I am glad this issue has been resolved and the resurfacing work will get underway within the next few weeks.”

Cllr Walker said the paved area had been repaired on three or four occasions with the cost picked up by taxpayers.

He said resurfacing it with tarmac would produce savings in the long term and make the area safer for drivers, motorcyclists and pedestrians.

He was also pleased that a significant section of the Shrigley Road is to be resurfaced and praised roads officials for agreeing to carry out the work.

But he warned that disruption would be inevitable and appealed to local people to be patient.

“This is a major resurfacing scheme and it may be necessary for a diversion to be put in place. The section of Shrigley Road that runs alongside the castle is in  a poor state of repair and the resurfacing scheme is particularly timely,” continued Cllr Walker.

He revealed he has also asked roads officials to look at the potential for introducing signs on the approach to the local primary school to make the area safer for pupils, parents, staff and visitors.

“The work that could be carried out at the school has not yet been specified but is something roads officials are to investigate. I am pleased work is to start soon and hope residents in Killyleagh and Shrigley will put up with a little inconvenience as the completed project will make a major difference,” he added.

Cllr Andrews has also praised roads officials for committing investment to the Killyleagh scheme and agreeing to start work within the next few weeks.

He added: “Cllr Walker and I have been working on this issue for quite some time and are pleased money has been earmarked for what is a much-needed scheme.”