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A road safety enhancement scheme on the Hilltown Road outside Newry that was shelved by the Department for Infrastructure will not be progressed currently but the Department will continue to monitor the area at the Derryleckagh Road/ Crobane Road junction.
In a reply to a question from South Down MLA Sinead Ennis, Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins explained that the scheme wasn't progressed because it wasn't economically viable.
Ms Ennis had asked whether the Minister will commit to working with colleagues in her Department's Southern Section to discuss progressing the unimplemented design for a road safety enhancement scheme on the Hilltown Road at the junction.
In reply the Minister spoke of her department's commitment to make our roads safer.
"I understand that my Department had reviewed a potential scheme at Derryleckagh Road and Crobane Road junctions, however regrettably it was not economically viable to proceed with the project." said Minister Kimmins.
"In the interim, improvements were introduced to lane markings along with additional warning signs which have contributed to a reduction in injury collisions. I have asked my officials to continue to monitor the area to determine if any further improvements are appropriate."
The Minister concluded "One of the best ways to ensure the safety of our roads and fulfil our long-term goal of eliminating death and serious injury on roads by 2050 is by changing driver behaviour. If driver attitudes towards speeding and careless driving do not change, our death toll, which has increased in the past year, will continue to rise."
