Roads Service outlines traffic calming measures in Moyle

The ‘Safer Routes to School’ was one project addressed by Roads Service.

As part of an ongoing assessment and improvement programme across Northern Ireland, the installation and upgrade of safety warning signs at St Mary’s Primary School, Cushendall have been completed at a cost of £4,000.

The warning signs are an important part of the programme to increase awareness for drivers that they are approaching a school and should check their speed and watch out for children and other pedestrians.

Cathal Brown of Roads Service said: “The Department has an ongoing programme, based on need, to provide, programme and maintain signs on the approaches to schools. The new safety signs incorporate flashing amber lights which are programmed to come on in the morning and afternoon during the school term at times when children are travelling to and from school.”

He continued: “To provide better warning for approaching drivers, new school warning signs along with red surfacing, ‘SLOW’ marking and Edge markings have been provided in the vicinity of Glenaan Primary School.”

Finally, he added “To provide better warning for approaching drivers, new school warning signs along with red surfacing have been provided in the vicinity of Armoy Primary School costing £4,000.”

20 MPH SCHEME

Mr Brown continuedd: “A 20mph speed limit scheme has been developed at Whitehall, Ballycastle. The main elements of the scheme consist of the introduction of a 20mph speed limit in the Whitehall area without the addition of traffic calming features.

“The scheme, which will be one of a number of pilot schemes for this type of measure across Northern Ireland, aims to manage vehicle speeds and driver behaviour.”

Cllr Cara McShane, who welcomed the signage, asked why there were no ramps. ”Aren’t we the only part of the northern divison of Roads that hasn’t yet installed a 20mph zone? Are we behind the rest?”

Mr Brown said that this project was an experiment and no physical features were being installed. He said it was about “behaviour change” and added that areas across NI had been identified for such a scheme.