A south Armagh Gaelic club is leading a united campaign for improvements at a notorious road junction – the scene of multiple collisions – amid growing fears that lives will be lost.
Silverbridge GFC, in partnership with the South Armagh Business Improvement Group, The Road Ahead NI and Happy Faces Day Care, have jointly raised serious concerns regarding ongoing road safety risks at Ford’s Cross junction in Silverbridge.
On average, there have been around 10 ‘near miss’ incidents every week over the past year, according to a community consultaton exercise.
As part of the GAA Healthy Clubs initiative, the organisations have been engaging with the local community to better understand the dangers associated with this busy rural junction.
A community survey – capturing feedback from 748 residents – highlights widespread concern about safety at the location.
A spokesperson said: “While planned resurfacing works in the area have been welcomed, community representatives stress that surface improvements alone will not address the significant hazards present at the junction.
“Ford’s Cross is a staggered crossroads currently lacking essential safety features, including worn-away rumble strips, unclear road markings and cat’s eyes, inadequate signage and no street lighting. These issues combine to create a dangerous environment for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.
“The junction also services critical infrastructure, including the main electricity hub and telecommunications switchboard for the surrounding area. Maintenance vehicles are present daily, often restricting visibility and contributing to congestion at an already hazardous crossing point.”
Although official statistics from NISRA record collisions at the site, local residents report frequent near misses and unreported incidents, which they feel indicates the true level of risk is significantly higher.
The junction serves a wide rural catchment area, with a combined population of approximately 2,956 people across Crossmaglen, Silverbridge, Glassdrummond, Dorsey, and Cullyhanna. It is also a key route for a substantial number of children and young people travelling to and from local schools and childcare facilities.
Said the spokesperson: “Within a four-mile radius, the junction supports access to three primary schools, two post-primary schools and multiple early years settings, representing over 1,600 children and young people, as well as hundreds of staff and daily school transport movements. Peak morning and afternoon traffic significantly increases the level of risk.
“Silverbridge GFC, located directly at the junction, further contributes to high traffic volumes. The club is a central hub for the community, hosting daily activities ranging from youth sport to adult fitness classes, cultural programmes and childcare services. With multiple events and training sessions taking place each day, the junction experiences a constant flow of vehicles, families, and pedestrians.”
Community representatives have warned that, without intervention, there is a very real risk of a serious or fatal collision.
The Road Ahead NI, a charity supporting those affected by road traffic incidents, emphasised the importance of prevention, highlighting the devastating and life-long impact collisions can have on individuals and families.
The group is now calling on the Department for Infrastructure to take immediate action, including undertaking a full safety assessment of the junction, reviewing the need for traffic control measures, such as traffic lights or redesign, improving road markings, signage and overall visibility, installing adequate street lighting, and engaging directly with the local community
Added the spokesperson: “This is not simply a matter of infrastructure, it is about protecting lives within our community, particularly our children and young people. There is a strong and unified local voice calling for action.
“We cannot afford to wait for a serious incident before action is taken. Prevention must be prioritised.”
The organisations have expressed their willingness to meet with the Department for Infrastructure to present their findings and work collaboratively on solutions to improve safety at Ford’s Cross.
