Roy Beggs, UUP Infrastructure Spokesperson said “I had been contacted by local residents in the area in relation to a request for additional signage at the cross road junction of Ballyvallagh Road and Upper Carneal Road. My constituents showed me footage of a very close call that they had one morning where a car sped through the cross roads and nearly caused a serious Road Traffic Collision.”
Roy Beggs MLA then wrote to Road Service stating: “I would ask that DfI Roads review the signage in this area to make it clearer that the cross road is there and that vehicles should be required to stop. Any additional road safety or speed signage in this area would be welcomed with a view to urgent road safety. I look forward to hearing from you.”
An official from DFI Roads subsequently advised that they have carried out a site visit to the area, and intend to make the following improvements –
Ballyvallagh Road
– Erect advance warning Give Way signage with 150yds plates and yellow backing boards, rather than the current grey advance warning sign. This should highlight to the drivers of the junction ahead giving more time to slow down before approaching the crossing;
– Place “Give way 150yds” road marking at sign.
Carneal Road
– DFI Road Service have recently resurfaced the junctions at Ballyvallagh Road/ Upper Carneal Road, as part of their resurfacing works programme. The Carriageway centre line road marking have to be replaced.
Upper Carneal Road
– Erect advance warning Give Way signage with 150yds plates and yellow backing boards, rather than the current grey advance warning sign. This should highlight to the drivers of the junction ahead giving more time to slow down before approaching the crossing;
– Place “Give way 150yds” road marking at sign;
– Instruction has been given to the Maintenance Section cut back overhanging branches on the approach to Carneal Road junction. This giving more visibility on the approach to the junction.
Concluding, Roy Beggs MLA added “I welcome the significant road safety improvements in the Upper Carneal Road & Ballyvallagh Road area which I hope will enhance road safety for all road users.”