Road survey to review traffic in Edward Street

Road survey to review traffic in Edward Street

9 October 2024

A NEW traffic study is to be carried out in Edward Street in Downpatrick.

The move has been confirmed by Stormont roads minister John O’Dowd with the exercise designed to improve road safety and traffic flow as a result in changes which impact on the busy street.

A new Eurospar has opened at the site of the former St Patrick’s Boys’ Primary School at the junction of John Street and St Dillion’s Avenue, while the former St Mary’s High School campus is one of the bases for the new Lecale Trinity Grammar.

South Down MLA Cathy Mason has welcomed confirmation of the traffic survey, with Colin McGrath MLA inviting Mr O’Dowd to visit Edward Street to view the congestion and the danger it poses to children for himself.

Mrs Mason said as a result of the opening of the new retail outlet and school campus, it is important that changes to the area are considered when reviewing school traffic management.

“The Minister has confirmed that once there are firm proposals, he will be consulting local representatives before implementing the findings,” said Mrs Mason.

“I will continue to work with the PSNI and the Department for Infrastructure to ensure school traffic measures meet the needs of the new developments, Our Lady’s and St. Patrick’s Primary School and local residents.”

Mr McGrath said he has been liaising with the DfI for well over a year, calling for the implementation of a so-called school street scheme.

“Since taking up office, the Minister has written to me a number of times on this issue and constantly tells me it is being looked at. Yet, there appears to be no urgency to resolve the matter,” he claimed.

“I raised this with the Minister in the Assembly recently and illustrated for him the standoffs that are taking place in Edward Street, with cars often having to mount the footpath to navigate the road, which endangers our children and families.”

Mr McGrath said the roads minister said motorists should drive responsibly around schools and suggested his response was “quite dismissive”.

He continued: “I’m concerned the roads minister is perhaps unaware of the real severity of this issue and have invited him to visit Edward Street during a school off to see for himself the congestion that takes place and how motorists and pedestrians are having to navigate this road.

“The easiest thing to do would be to implement the school street scheme and I look forward to hearing from the Minister if he is willing to visit Edward Street.”