Call for action on '˜infamous' stretch of Derry road

Enagh Youth Forum said that local residents are alarmed over the number of accidents along the “infamous” road, including several over recent days.

Paul Hughes from Enagh Youth Forum was speaking a year on from the same issue being highlighted concerning the carriageway between City of Derry Rugby Club and Kirks House.

Mr Hughes said: “There has been hundreds of accidents on this stretch of road over these past few years and whilst concerns have already been raised by local elected representatives, what people want to see is action been taking and something been done to improve this situation.”

Mr Hughes said local people were now afraid to walk around the paths towards Judges Road or Gransha “such is the high frequency of accidents on that stretch of road”. He said: “This reinforces the need for something to be done urgently. Surely the stretch of road in question could be realigned in some way, or at the very least increased safety and warning signage installed as a matter of urgency.

“Something must be done now to improve safety for both motorists and pedestrians.”

He added that all local community groups in the area are planning a public meeting over the coming weeks, with plans to invite representatives from Transport NI as well as local elected representatives along to demand that something be done.

“I have also written to Department of Infrastructure Minister Hazard to ask him to come and visit the stretch of road and to hear first hand about the high numbers of accidents,” Mr Hughes said.

A Department for Infrastructure spokesperson said: “The Department can confirm that the local TransportNI office has been has been made aware of three recent accidents over the past two weeks on the Maydown dual carriageway. In light of these recent incidents a carriageway surface investigation has been arranged.

“The Department will also try to establish whether there are any specific problems that have contributed to these recent accidents. The Department is considering providing additional road safety features along this particular stretch of the dual carriageway.”