Concerns have been raised over the number of accidents that have occurred in front of a row of houses off the main Gosford Road in Markethill.
Not only are the accidents occurring off a main road with a 60mph speed limit, but they are also happening around the main junctions in Markethill that serve the town.
Following a concerning collision in January, where a car almost hit a house at Dean Swift Mews, Alderman Gareth Wilson raised the issue with the new DFI Minister.
The Cusher DUP representative urged Minister Liz Kimmins to consider a reduced speed limit covering the five main junctions.
However, the request seems to have fallen on deaf ears.
Alderman Wilson said he was disappointed that the DFI Minister had rejected the suggestion and urged her to reconsider her decision “given the real risks and number of accidents that have occurred, on what is a short stretch of highway”.
He stated: “When the resident informed me of this accident, I was shocked, and it is reminiscent of the collision a few years ago when an articulated lorry skidded to a halt right against the railings of Dean Swift Mews.
“This latest collision could have been a lot worse, and thankfully, despite destroying the railings, the car came to a halt before hitting the residential dwelling. You can imagine how shocked and concerned residents are in this location.”
Alderman Wilson raised the issue of a reduction in the speed limit to serve the five main junctions of Tandragee Road, Newry Street, Fair Green Road, Gosford Forest Park, and Mullaghbrack Road.
Nonetheless, successive DFI Ministers have rejected this suggestion.
Said Alderman Wilson: “I really feel it is high time a lower speed limit was introduced. Given the speed of vehicles passing by the town and the fact there are five busy junctions with traffic entering and exiting onto this A-class busy highway, I feel there is every reason to lower the speed limit for everyone’s safety.”
He concluded: “I had hoped the new DFI Minister might be more receptive to this safety measure; however, frustratingly, it is the same ‘off-the-shelf’ response as before, and I would urge the Minister to reconsider this issue and move to implement a lower speed limit to bring a much greater awareness of the dangers for all motorists and help slow traffic down.”
