Killyleagh speeders putting lives at risk

Killyleagh speeders putting lives at risk

16 August 2017

ROADS officials have been asked to provide traffic calming measures at the Kerry and Grove housing estates in Killyleagh.

Concern is mounting about a speeding problem in the built-up housing development located off the Downpatrick Road, with parents concerned for the safety of children playing in the area.

Rowallane councillor, Terry Andrews, is seeking a site meeting with Transport NI officials to discuss residents’ concerns and hopes this will pave the way for the provision of traffic calming measures.

In addition, he hopes roads officials will agree to carry out a traffic assessment at the large housing area and believes that given the volume of vehicles in the estate, new safety measures will be implemented.

Councillor Andrews said the homes were built in the 1950s and at that time only a handful of families had cars. He said with most families now having two cars, the estate is quite congested with parked vehicles.

“Given there are so many parked cars at this estate, drivers need to slow down and take care,” he said. “One child was left upset last week after her pet cat was run over and killed.

“Residents are appealing to people who live in the Kerry and Grove estates and those who may just be visiting to slow down and drive carefully. They fear a child could be injured and that the presence of so many parked cars should encourage drivers to slow down,” he continued.

Councillor Andrews also plans to raise residents’ concerns with the Housing Executive and hopes the organisation will back calls for traffic calming measures to be introduced.

He continued: “The mixture of so many parked cars and speeding drivers poses a risk to children playing at this estate. There is an urgent need for the issue to be addressed and residents and I hope this will happen.

“In addition to speed bumps to slow the speed of vehicles, maybe consideration will be given to erecting signs to warn drivers children are playing in the area. The narrow layout of the estate requires motorists to drive with due care and attention.”

Councillor Andrews said he hopes to arrange a site meeting with Transport NI officials as soon as possible and hopes a representative from the Housing Executive will also be able to attend.

He added: “While there are rules governing the introduction of traffic calming measures and Transport NI receives many requests for their introduction, I hope it will look favourably upon the request by parents and residents at the Kerry and Grove estates. I believe it is important these measures are implemented.”