Accident at Caw roundabout involving a lorry and a bus in May this year
The Caw Roundabout has one of the highest collision rates in the North, yet despite assurances that steps were being taken by the department to implement the necessary upgrades including signalisation, progress on the matter has come to a standstill.
SDLP Infrastructure Spokesperson and Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan MLA: “Caw roundabout is key to traffic movement in and around Derry, yet there is barely a week that passes where there hasn’t been an incident along this route.
“For eight years, Caw Roundabout has consistently been one of the most dangerous junctions in the North.
“Not only is the failure to install traffic signals causing gridlock across the Waterside and on the Foyle Bridge itself, but it’s putting people’s safety at risk.
“This is an issue the SDLP has been working on for many years.
“Despite prior reassurances from the department and some signs of progress, it has unfortunately been a case of one step forward, two steps back.
“There has been quite a bit of back and forth between the department and the developer of the nearby Ballyoan site over plans to signalise this roundabout.
“The developer has confirmed a significant contribution to the required safety works however, the remainder of the funding for these vital improvements has yet to be identified.
“I appreciate there needs to be funding from multiple sources to progress these upgrades and there are huge budget pressures on public services at the moment and DfI is no exception.
“The consequences of those pressures are clear given the current state of our roads, however, the department has missed opportunities in this area in terms of road safety.”
Waterside Cllr Martin Reilly remarked: “There has been a reluctance from DfI to address these concerns and we must remember that Phase 2 of the A6 via Maydown, which extends from Drumahoe to the Caw Roundabout, has still not been completed.
“Given that this flagship project will end at Caw it proves the need for the department to frontload works along this route.
“The SDLP intend to progress these discussions as part of the A6 meeting with the Permanent Secretary requested by Colum Eastwood MP.
“I hope DfI will take action to address these concerns as a matter of urgency.”
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