SDLP Faughan Councillor Declan Norris has called for traffic calming measures to tackle serious road safety issues in rural areas, particularly those within Eglinton Village.
Cllr Norris has been liaising with Department for Infrastructure (DfI) officials, school staff and parents to secure a 30mph speed limit along the Coolafinney Road as well as traffic calming measures on at Eglinton Primary School and the new Lady of Fatima areas.
Said Cllr Norris: “I’m contacted on a weekly basis by constituents with serious concerns around road safety throughout Eglinton Village but predominantly in the vicinity of the two local primary schools.
“The opening of the new primary school, Our Lady of Fatima at the Ervey Road Tamnaherin in June, will only serve to exacerbate existing issues.
“It’s crucial that DfI gets a handle on this situation in advance of the next academic year.
“Concerns around road safety and the high volume of HGV traffic through Eglinton are long standing.
“In recent years, the area has experienced a significant increase in traffic volume and has been used by HGVs travelling to Belfast.
“My party colleague Mark H Durkan MLA had secured a commitment from DfI for a HGV traffic survey, however, repeated delays around the completion of the A6 have prevented this from happening.
“I’ve met with DfI officials who have subsequently spoken with parents and teachers from Eglinton and Tamnaherin to discuss their concerns.
“I’ve asked for the urgent implementation of an extended 30 mph speed limit at the Coolafinney Road as well as crossing facilities and traffic calming measures at each school to enhance the safety of all road users.”
Cllr Norris added: “EA’s recent announcement to freeze the number of school crossing patrol officers will hit hardest in rural areas.
“At a time when efforts are being made to encourage cycling or walking to school initiatives and establish safer routes, the freeze on crossing patrol staff is nonsensical.
“I appreciate this issue is not isolated to schools in Eglinton and will impact other rural areas such as Ardmore and Claudy.
“It’s high time DfI focused on improving safety in long neglected, rural areas.
“Failure to provide adequate road safety measures is an accident waiting to happen.”
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