Many local representatives have been increasing pressure on Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to address an alarming number of potholes and road defects, some of which have been deemed “a matter of life and death“.
The Minister visited rural Armagh on Wednesday, February 4 – sadly not to address potholes – but alas, the reason for her visit was no less significant.
Welcomed to Ballymacnab by Newry and Armagh Sinn Féin representatives, Ms Kimmins attended the Newtown Road to review road safety concerns.
Councillor Bróna Haughey detailed the reason for the review, adding: “We discussed long-standing issues around traffic speeds and safety on this busy stretch of road, particularly near O’Toole’s Bar and Lounge and towards the local housing development, chapel and GAA pitch, where a number of accidents have occurred.
“Minister Kimmins has agreed to review the safety measures in place, including traffic calming and improved pedestrian safety.
“Sinn Féin will continue working with local residents, Minister Kimmins and all to push for practical solutions that improve safety for everyone.”
The Councillor also urged the public to take part in a policy consultation that has been launched by the Minister to address road safety across Northern Ireland.
The Speed Limit Review 2026 opened for consultation on January 14. It seeks to gauge opinion on 20mph speed limits, the national speed limit on single carriageway rural roads, dual carriageway roads; and, speed limits for Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs).
Of the consultation, Councillor Haughey added: “Responding to these helps inform policy change to make our roads safer for everyone.
“Road safety is an issue that impacts on all of us in our everyday lives and is a matter the Department is committed to addressing. Across the world deaths on the road remain unacceptably high.
“One life lost on our roads is one too many and, while there has been considerable progress in reducing road deaths, there is more that we can and must do to make our roads safer for everyone.”
You can take part in the public consultation here.
