Residents in call for action after '˜near miss'

Daniel O’Kane lives across the road from the park, which is also close to two local schools. He came home last Saturday to find tyre tracks on the grass path outside his house and that of his neighbour, several yards and leaving a trail of destruction.

“Having lived opposite the play park now for three years, I can honestly see a lack of care and attention of drivers on a weekly basis,” said Mr O’Kane.

“Long before I moved to Curragh Road locals have been calling for speed ramps. We are assured traffic measures will be put in place when the new sports complex is built, but with two schools, a school canteen on the opposite side of the road to st Patrick’s College, existing playing fields and the play park and several housing developments, the speed ramps should have been put in years ago. The only blessing was by poor fluke there were no children about, or anyone out for a walk as this footpath is used to walk around the town.”

Seamus Harkin, who lives next door agrees, said: “What happened is a wee reminder that it’s a matter of time before something terrible could happen, but in light of news about the new sports facilities it should increase the urgency for safety measures to be implemented.”

A TransportNI spokesperson said: “This matter has not been raised with TransportNI. However, all requests such as this are given full consideration.”