A26 Junctions

Oral Answers to Questions — Infrastructure – in the Northern Ireland Assembly at 2:15 pm on 17 January 2017.

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Photo of Phillip Logan Phillip Logan DUP 2:15, 17 January 2017

8. Mr Logan asked the Minister for Infrastructure for an update on plans for junctions at the A26 Lisnevenagh Road, Woodgreen Road and Cromkill Road. (AQO 910/16-21)

Photo of Christopher Hazzard Christopher Hazzard Sinn Féin

I am happy to confirm that collision remedial work at the Cromkill Road/Lisnevenagh Road junction is programmed to commence within the next few weeks. This work to prohibit the right turn from Cromkill Road towards Antrim will directly address the primary causation factors of recent collisions, where traffic turning right out of Cromkill Road has been struck by northbound vehicles on the Lisnevenagh Road.

There are two viable alternative routes for traffic wishing to travel south on the A26 from the Cromkill Road and Galgorm Road area of the town. Both routes use the Seven Towers roundabout and both are considered a reasonable and safer alternative to crossing the busy northbound carriageway of the A26.

Photo of Phillip Logan Phillip Logan DUP

I thank the Minister for his answer. Given that, on 6 January this year, on that stretch of road alone, six accidents occurred, will the Minister consider reviewing the safety of that road itself?

Photo of Christopher Hazzard Christopher Hazzard Sinn Féin

I will indeed. That piece of work has been carried out in the past. That particular stretch of road has been a focus for the Department. The recent safety report also recommends a number of low-cost, site-specific measures to be implemented in the short term. These include the provision and review of street lighting at Woodgreen Road and Barnish Road, a review of signs and lines along the entire route to ensure clarity and consistency, as well as the legislative change to ban the right turn at Woodgreen Road and Cromkill Road as I have detailed.

Photo of Jim Allister Jim Allister Traditional Unionist Voice

The record of these various junctions on the Lisnevenagh Road has been horrendous. Why has the original plan to attend to the junction at Maine Road been abandoned? Its having been a junction identified as in need of remedial works, it seems rather odd that the remedial works or any plan for them have been abandoned.

Photo of Christopher Hazzard Christopher Hazzard Sinn Féin

I am not aware of any plan for remedial works being abandoned. Again, it is certainly not a decision that I have taken or am aware of. As I outlined in my answer to the previous question from Mr Logan, there are a number of low-cost, site-specific recommendations that I think will take place over the short to medium term and that will help to provide greater safety to commuters on that stretch of road in future.

Photo of Robin Newton Robin Newton Speaker

Mr Adrian McQuillan is not in his place. Mrs Sandra Overend is not in her place. I call Mr Keith Buchanan.