Eglinton concerns over HGV traffic raised

Paul Hughes, of the Enagh Youth Forum (EYF), said people in Eglinton ask him to raise the possibility of having traffic calming introduced on the Woodvale Road on an almost weekly basis. He has asked the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) to consider taking action.

“I continue to be contacted by many concerned residents of Eglinton regarding the urgent need for traffic calming measures to be installed on the B118 Woodvale Road in Eglinton. This issue has been raised by local residents now for quite some. All local representatives have been made aware of the concerns and yet nothing has been done to improve the situation. Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) continue to speed along the road and it is becoming extremely unsafe,” said the Strathfoyle-based community worker.

The Woodvale Road enters Eglinton from the Tamnaherin direction, changing from a rural to a suburban residential character before passing a school and shops and running right through the centre of the village.

Mr. Hughes claims some people living in the area have even asked for lorries to be banned from the thoroughfare.

“I would like to reiterate residents’ requests for DfI to reconsider a ban on HGV’s on the B118 Woodvale Road. Furthermore I am calling on the department to act without further delay to put in place new traffic calming measures at the earliest possible opportunity,” he said.

Two weeks ago DfI Minister Nichola Mallon announced a £10m budget for rural roads.

Mr. Hughes suggested this could be used to carry out works in Eglinton.

“The issue of funding can no longer be put up as an excuse as DfI Minister Mallon announced a £10 million funding pledge for ‘rural roads.’ The onus is now on DFI to put in place a traffic calming scheme on this road without any further delay.”