Former councillor and Aontú Newry representative has called for action to be taken to ease congestion around the Five Ways roundabout and Damolly retail park. Speaking recently to the Newry Democrat, the former chair of Newry Mourne and Down council, stated, “every Newry person will be aware how much of a nightmare it can be leaving the city along the Armagh Road at peak times. It is particularly stressful trying to exit the Damolly Retail Park when traffic is congested. There have clearly been serious failures with regard to the planning of roads and access around this area.”
The former councillor, who recently announced a comeback in the election next year for her new party Aontú, continued, “I have been inundated with complaints about this particular problem from constituents in Newry, and indeed beyond by people travelling through our wonderful city. Whilst it might seem like a lesser issue to an external observer, it is a perennial problem to the motorists and it must be tackled.” She went on “Much has been made recently about the Newry Southern Relief Road, but even if such a project proceeds – which is not certain when looking at Stormont’s abysmal record on infrastructure – it will not directly address congestion at this key chokepoint.”
When pressed on her ideas on this issue, Mulgrew explained, “we in Aontú have a long record of drawing attention to problems in infrastructure projects both north and south, accountability is extremely important, and so is innovative, out-of-the-box thinking. We are calling for a feasibility assessment to be carried out on whether traffic lights could be installed near the Damolly exit to ease traffic flow. We’re also calling for an additional exit from Damolly Retail Park onto Carnbane Way to stop a buildup of traffic at the Armagh Road exit.”
Turning her focus to her electoral rivals, Mulgrew called for the Minister for Infrastructure, Liz Kimmins to look into the issue personally. “Liz is not only the infrastructure Minister at Stormont, she’s also a local MLA for Newry, and she needs to wear both hats simultaneously. Her full attention should be given to Newry at all times, but especially when it is an infrastructure issue. I am seeking an urgent meeting with the minister or with officials from her department to address this issue ASAP.”
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CLANRYE NEWS 