An online petition set up in the aftermath of a series of accidents at Keady Road has now met its target.
The petition, which is demanding action is taken at the accident blackspot, passed the 1,000 required signatures today (Thursday).
And, as a result, it will now be forwarded to Roads Minister and Newry and Armagh Assemblyman Danny Kennedy for consideration.
As Armagh I revealed, the petition, which we have championed, was set up on Monday of last week, November 10, in response to growing calls for something to be done before lives are lost.
Just three days earlier, on the Friday, a woman sustained serious injuries after a two vehicle crash at around tea-time.
There had also been accidents in the same area on the previous evenings, Wednesday and Thursday, one of which led to the 20-year-old passenger of a car having to be cut free of the vehicle.
The high number of accidents, not just this month but over the years, has long been of great concern and worry to local people.
We first reported on the petition 11 days ago and have shared the same appeal twice since, encouraging people to sign and show their support.
We are delighted that so many of you have – 1,001 in fact by tonight – and would like to thank all of you who took the time to make your voice heard.
The petition will now go to Minister Kennedy in the hope that something can be done.
The petition, addressed to the Minister, reads: “We the undersigned call on you and your department to take urgent action to have major improvements at Ballyards on the Keady Road, Armagh.
“This section of road is a notorious accident blackspot and yet Roads Service have failed to take any real and meaningful action to make improvements on the road.
“We appeal to you to have urgent works carried out at this stretch of road before someone is killed.
“This week alone, there have been three separate accidents on the road, with one local lady remaining in hospital because of her injuries.
“We urge you to use your Ministerial office to intervene and have improvements carried out without further delay.”
SDLP Councillor Thomas O’Hanlon, who first revealed the setting up of the petition, has described the road as a ‘”death trap” and has asked for an urgent meeting with Roads Minister Danny Kennedy MLA to push for real and urgent improvements.
“Roads Service can no longer ignore the problem at Ballyards,” he said.
Now that it has reached its goal, we don’t believe those calls can go unanswered either.
Again, thank-you all!
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