Downpatrick Councillor Cadogan Enright has expressed delight that a long-standing campaign to upgrade sections of the Vianstown Road has finally been supported by Roads Service.
Cllr Enright said “The road down from Bishops Brea onto the Vianstown Road has poor visibility and is quite dangerous for the large number of local people using it. This junction is not just used for local access, but for large numbers of people trying to avoid congestion in Downpatrick on a daily basis, especially heading towards Ballynahinch and Newcastle via the Bonecastle and Ballydugan Roads.”
Cadogan pointed out that “it is not generally known that this junction is situated at the Western end of the much-mooted ‘Southern Downpatrick Bypass” according to the long-term development plan. The only section of the bypass to be built so far is the road outside the new hospital. Whilst the Southern bypass is only an aspiration at this stage, the reality is that ordinary people in the Downpatrick area still need to get around and the improvement of this junction will help in this regard. I believe it should include the demolition of the ruined cottage that makes visibility so difficult on this site.”
“Additionally, the Ballydonnell / Ballykilbeg junction on the Vianstown Road is being realigned including a widening of the main though road carriageway. This will not only improve road safety along this stretch of the Road, but will help commuters from along the Lecale coast up to the Ballydugan Road.”
“Road Service have said that they intend to do the Ballydonnell / Ballykilbeg junction this Autumn, and that Bishops Brea junction with the Vianstown Road will be in 2014 once land acquisition has been completed and the finance still being available at that time. They also plan a ‘high friction’ surface on Bishops Brae Road which should be useful on that downward slope, particularly in winter.” Concluded Cllr Cadogan Enright.