DOWN District Councillor Cadogan Enright has expressed his concern at the dangers posed to people using the Dunmore Road and Magherahamlet Road Crossroads.
Currently a derelict building, which should have been removed ten years ago after a replacement dwelling was built, is blocking the sightlines of road users approaching the crossroads from the Spa direction.
Cllr Enright said, “The sightlines should have been amended around ten years when the old building on the crossroads was to be removed before a new replacement dwelling was erected. On visiting this junction it concerns me that the old building is still in place and dangerously blocking the sight lines to emerging traffic at the crossroads. If this old building is removed, as it should have been, I believe the problems and dangers of this junction could be rectified.”
Cllr Enright has been told by the Planning Office that the Roads Service and Planning Service are currently corresponding to have this issue rectified.
Cllr Enright said, “I have written to the Planning Service on two occasions and also raised the issue with local PSNI officers. I can confirm that the Planning Service is currently carrying out an assessment of our request to have the derelict building removed which I welcome however I am concerned at the length of time this process is taking. Local people have had to wait over ten years for this issue to be resolved and I think it is a miracle that no one has been killed yet on these crossroads.”
The crossroads in question has contributed to several previous road accidents which have left people seriously injured. To date there has been no fatalities however local people believe it will only be a matter of time before a tragedy comes about.
Cllr Enright concluded, “Currently when approaching theses crossroads from the Spa direction it is like playing a game of ‘Russian Roulette’. I have expressed my concerns to the Planning Service and hope that enforcement and addressing the issue is forthcoming before someone else gets hurt.”
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