EFFORTS are ongoing to get street lighting at the rural bus stops near Drumaness.
Alliance MLA Nick Mathison and other Alliance representatives have been out in the community gathering signatures for a petition calling for urgent action by the Department for Infrastructure.
The petition is calling for street lighting to be installed at the Translink bus stops on both sides of the A24 near the junction with Drumaness.
The MLA said that residents have long raised concerns about the complete lack of lighting in this area, which creates significant safety risks for those using the bus service, particularly school children who must wait and often cross the A24 in darkness throughout the winter months.
“Local parents and residents are absolutely right to be worried,” Mr Mathison said.
“These bus stops serve many schoolchildren who are travelling before sunrise for much of the year. The absence of any lighting at all makes an already busy stretch of road even more dangerous.”
He said that the growing public response reflects the seriousness of the issue.
“To push this issue forward, I have launched a petition urging the Department for Infrastructure to install appropriate street lighting as a matter of priority,” he said.
“Our Alliance team has been out on the ground in Drumaness speaking to residents and delivering a street letter, in order to gather signatures. I’m grateful for the strong support people have shown so far.”
Residents can add their support by signing the petition online on the Change.org website at www.change.org/p/install-streetlighting- at-drumaness-bus-stop.
Those who would prefer to write their signature can contact the MLA’s office on 028 9187 7960 or send an email to nick.mathison@co.niassembly.gov.uk.
“I would encourage anyone concerned about safety at these stops to sign the petition and help strengthen the case for action,” Mr Mathison added.
“Please get in touch if you have any questions or if I can be of assistance.”
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