Roads Service to begin work on busy road

Roads Service to begin work on busy road

22 June 2022

MOVES are underway to upgrade of a busy road junction in Downpatrick.

Roads officials have signalled their intention to upgrade the Edward Street/Ardglass Road junction, which carries a large volume of traffic, by formally starting the vesting process to acquire the land that they need.

The Department for Infrastructure upgrade includes a much-needed pedestrian crossing which local politicians have been lobbying for, given the number of houses in the area and the busy access road to the Downshire Civic Centre which is home to a number of organisations.

They include Newry, Mourne and Down Council, Fire and Rescue Service, PSNI and the Housing Executive. The Ardglass Road is also the main access route to the Downe Hospital.

Politicians have consistently highlighted the need for the busy junction, which is also close to a busy convenience store, to be upgraded.

The junction, located in the middle of a densely populated area, carries a high volume of traffic which includes heavy lorries making their way to and from Ardglass harbour.

Confirmation that the vesting process is underway has been welcomed by local councillor, Dermot Curran.

He said enhancing pedestrian safety at the business junction is crucially important,” he said.

“The junction has remained unaltered for a decade and now carries a significantly higher volume of traffic,” Cllr Curran continued. ”I hope the vesting process will be straight forward and that contractors will be on site in the near future.”

He said it was his understanding that footpaths on either side of the junction would be upgraded as part of roads department investment.