Northern Ireland

Concerns raised about safety of A6 roadworks

Residents and a GAA club in Castledawson have voiced concerns about roadworks linked to the A6 upgrade. Picture by Hugh Russell..
Residents and a GAA club in Castledawson have voiced concerns about roadworks linked to the A6 upgrade. Picture by Hugh Russell.. Residents and a GAA club in Castledawson have voiced concerns about roadworks linked to the A6 upgrade. Picture by Hugh Russell..

CONCERNED parents and a GAA club say they fear someone could be killed as a result of roadworks linked to the A6 upgrade in Co Derry.

The work is being carried out as part of a multi-million pound scheme designed to reduce travel times between Derry and Belfast.

Safety concerns have been raised about the same stretch of road near Castledawson.

A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive last night said it has received “a number complaints in relation to the A6 upgrade”.

Thousands of vehicles use the route every day and in recent month a series of roadworks and closures have caused traffic disruption.

Some parents and St Malachy’s GAA club, which is based close to construction work in Castledawson, have voiced concerns about people and traffic attempting to navigate a busy junction on the route.

The club sits close the main Derry to Belfast road and is accessed from a small country road known as the Brough Road.

Residents, politicians and road officials were meeting yesterday to discuss the matter.

Mother-of-three Cathryn McOscar said she was worried that lives could be lost.

She said that a specially built footbridge, which links the club to the local community, is not lit up at night and that temporary lighting placed at a junction of the A6 works and Brough Road has since been removed.

“Somebody is going to get killed and there’s no doubt in my mind that is going to happen,” she said.

"If something tragic happens it affects he whole community, not just one family”.

Mrs McOscar also claimed that some bus drivers have opted not to drop school children off at the Brough Road junction due to concerns for their safety.

She said that transport chiefs plan to relocate a bus stop almost a mile away but that no lighting or footpath will be provided for children who will have to make the journey on foot.

In a Facebook post St Malachy’s GAC said: “No lighting, buses, sports facilities and children - assurances and action need to be taken now, before any incident of a terrible nature should occur.

“Above all, health and safety comes first.

“And, where our precious children are concerned - it is a must.”

SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone attended last night’s meeting.

“There has been an ongoing series of issues,” he said.

“A lot of it is down to traffic management and safety as well.”

A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive said: “HSENI has received a number complaints in relation to the A6 upgrade at Castledawson.

“All complaints will, or have been, addressed in line with our complaints policy.”

A spokeswoman for Translink said: “We are in discussions with relevant stakeholders regarding the on-going works programme on the A6 to ensure the safety of our passengers and staff.”