LETTER TO THE EDITOR OF DOWN RECORDER RESPONDING TO ARTICLE BY ROADS SERVICE CHIEF

Sir, 

Firstly can I welcome Divisional Roads Manager’s statement regarding plans to tackle traffic management in Downpatrick. I am also pleased that Roads Service will shortly be receiving a comprehensive study to identify and assess potential measures to improve traffic and pedestrian movements at a number of junctions in Downpatrick.  We will be able to add this to the  long line of similar traffic studies which have generated little response from Roads Service in terms of projects on the ground.

The analysis of the congestion problem by Kevin Monaghan in Downpatrick is helpful however, even if it is again lacking in detail.  Mr Monaghan lists some of the schemes and some elements of progress.  But two key issues remain for me as a public representative.

Firstly, the unbalanced consultation into the one-way system at Edward Street continues to be of concern.  Mr Monaghan’s assertion that this is how such consultations are conducted is at variance with best practice in the public service. He admits that the overriding factor for Roads Service was the displacement of 3,000 vehicles from the Edward St area. Why then did Roads Service inform Council that they would use the resurfacing of Edward Street as a test of a one-way system?, and why did they feel a consultation exercise of any sort needed to be undertaken?

Secondly and more significantly, Council is still awaiting detailed responses to a series of questions put to Roads Service at a formal meeting over 7 months ago.

At Council meeting on 22 October 2012 members posed a series of questions to Roads service officials regarding the inadequacy of Road Service’s response to congestion problems in Down District, and Downpatrick in particular.  Questions were also raised about the inadequacy of the Capital Programme for the District. These questions are shown below.  The public statement by Divisional Manager makes no reference either the outstanding questions, or to timetables for each scheme or the likely benefits in terms of traffic flows.

Council Meeting 22nd October 2012 – Questions put to Roads Service Officials

1.    Can you confirm the capital programme for Downpatrick/District and provide  background papers including indicative or detailed costs, Appraisal Summary Tables and supporting documents for all such schemes?

2.    When will construction work start on the A24 Ballynahinch  by-pass scheme?

3.    What is the agreed timetable from Roads Service for each identified improvement  scheme or initiative for Downpatrick,  including those to alleviate traffic congestion?

4.    What improvement in traffic flows for Downpatrick will be generated by these schemes, singly and collectively?

5.    Can Roads Service provide details of all roads schemes considered in last 5 years for Downpatrick in addition to agreed and programmed schemes?

6.    How much additional funding does Downpatrick attract from DRD in recognition of its location on Regional Strategic Transport Network?

 

Council has sought to pursue this information by a series of letters and FoI requests to local Roads service officials, TransportNi, the Permanent Secretary of DRD and the Minister himself.

All responses have been lacking the required detail, despite Roads Service claims that they have supplied answers to what they were asked. Their repeated message is that Downpatrick is no more congested than other Northern Ireland towns. As a consequence Roads Service will continue to deploy inadequate capital investment in the District. Towns like Comber now have two by-passes whereas even the most basic junction upgrades promised years ago in Downpatrick are still not delivered.

Based on their responses to FoI requests, it would appear that they have actually no detailed work done on these projects on most of their project files.

It is clear Roads Service is intent on avoiding answering these questions fully.  Council and local people have a right to know how far each identified scheme has progressed, what stages have been reached in realising each project and what further work is needed by Roads service to make these schemes ready to be implemented.

Council, and I as a public representative, will continue on behalf of the ratepayers who fund the Roads Service, to press for answers and to make available all requested information.

Cllr Cadogan Enright

07590462329

PS I attach a list of in projects in Downpatrick and Down District, featuring the information so far supplied by the Roads Service, in the format used by the Roads Service themselves – you will note that most information boxes are blank.

You might enquire of Roads Service as to why they are unable to fill the blanks

Have a look for yourself at the Roads Service Capital Programme for Down District INCLUDING BLANKS