LIFE SAVING PLEA

Colr. Dermot Nicholl says the speed limit needs to be reduced.

That’s according to Sinn Fein councillor Dermot Nicholl who believes the move could make a massive difference especially to those, he said, access Faughanvale Primary School and St. Mary’s, Faughanvale GAA which both fall within the 50mph speed limit.

“As you come into Greysteel from the Eglinton side you go from a 60mph to a 40mph speed limit yet, when you come into Greysteel from the Ballykelly side, the speed limit drops from 60 to 50 to 40mph. I don’t understand the logic of this,” said Colr. Nicholl.

“Not only are there road safety concerns here, I think it’s a confusing message for people driving through Greysteel.”

The speed limit drops from 60 to 50 to 40 as you approach Greysteel from Ballykelly.

Officials from TransportNI say the matter is under consideration by the Department, and Colr. Nicholl hopes it will happen.

“Primarily, my main concern is for the local primary school and pupils. You have kids who walk to school on a regular basis, and you have people who use this stretch for walking, and, now we are in the thick of the GAA season, people who use the football club. It is primarily about road safety and it makes sense to have the same speed limit the whole way through the village,” said Colr. Nicholl, “because, at the minute, there is that disparity.”

Colr. Nicholl said he is aware legislative changes may be neccessary to make the change possible, but he feels whatever the costs, it is worthwhile.

“I think it’s worth it because it’s that old adage, isn’t it, that it’s too late when something happens. There is no monetary value to this.”

Colr. Nicholl added: “If it helps save lives then surely it’s worth it.”

A spokesperson for TransportNI said the matter is “being considered in conjunction with the PSNI’s Traffic Management Unit”.