Murphy Welcomes Road Safety Improvements at Hillcrest Village

Slieve Gullion Councillor Declan Murphy has welcomed progress on road safety at Hillcrest Village in Bessbrook although he has called for further measures to address residents’ concerns around speeding.

Speaking following a site meeting with Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins and local residents in the new housing development, Cllr Murphy said: “I want to sincerely thank Minister Liz Kimmins for visiting Hillcrest Village and taking the time to meet directly with local residents.

“The pedestrian islands installed last year have made a visible and positive difference — particularly for children crossing the road on their way to school. I commend the Minister for her swift response in delivering this much-needed infrastructure, and for her ongoing engagement with the community.”

The area has seen increased traffic volumes in recent years particularly during school hours, with many children walking or cycling through the area.

While progress has been made, Councillor Murphy noted that speeding remains a significant concern for residents.

“Hillcrest is a vibrant and growing community with many young families. Despite the improvements already in place, concerns about speeding persist — and understandably so. Parents want to know their children can get to and from school safely.

“At today’s meeting, I raised the need for additional traffic-calming measures, including the potential installation of speed ramps, to further enhance road safety and reassure local families.

Councillor Murphy reaffirmed Sinn Féin’s commitment to delivering for communities through constructive engagement and investment in local infrastructure.

“We’ve made important progress — and I’m confident we can build on that. I will continue working with Minister Kimmins, local residents, and relevant agencies to ensure further safety improvements are delivered."