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Crotlieve Councillor Karen McKevitt has called for urgent action at the Beech Hill junction on the A1. The local councillor has contacted the Department for Infrastructure and called on them to address the concerns of residents.
Cllr McKevitt said "An immediate action would be to ensure the junction is lit properly so those travelling along the A1 can clearly see what is ahead of them. Residents need to feel safe as they go about their daily lives and I will continue to fight for change on their behalf."
The Crotlieve Councillor added “Since I was elected in 2005, I’ve had several Ministers visit Beech Hill to see for themselves the safety issues both local residents and road users encounter on a daily basis. The concerns have been recognised consistently by successive Ministers and their officials but we have yet to see any action taken to date. I am speaking to local residents on a regular basis and share their frustration, they simply want this junction addressed before any more lives are lost.
“Back in 2007, following the completion of this junction, an AA road safety expert said that this junction was hazardous and the design of it belonged in the 1960’s and 70’s. Not much has changed since then and I don’t want to receive another tragic call to say that more people have died here. Residents have resorted to using the small underpass which is designed for agricultural use out of fear of crossing the carriageway. We know how dangerous this road is and no one living here or driving this route should be fearful of losing their lives. How many more have to die before something is done?"
Plans for closing off central reservations between as part of the A1 Junctions Phase 2 project won't help at Beech Hill as it only is involving junctions between Hillsborough and Loughbrickland, and regardless it could be several years before work begins.
