South and East Belfast Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Roads Service commitment to make Primrose Hill/Saintfield Road Traffic Lights fully functional welcomed

Published: 14 November, 2008

South Belfast Sinn Féin MLA Alex Maskey has welcomed the commitment given by the Roads Service to ensure that the traffic lights at the Primrose Hill/Saintfield Road junction are made fully functional.


The South Belfast MLA said,

"Sinn Féin has long lobbied for traffic lights to be situated at this junction and, at the time, we warmly welcomed the fact that as a condition of granting planning permission for the further development of this area by 'Taggart Homes', they had to commit to installing traffic signals at this junction.


"Subsequently, however, 'Taggart Homes' went into administration and the traffic lights at this junction have remained in place but have not be functioning. This was an unacceptable situation, not to mention a highly dangerous one. We had raised this issue with all of the relevant agencies and directly with the Minister Conor Murphy MP".


He concluded,

"This issue has dragged on for far too long, and posed a very real danger to both motorists and pedestrians in this area. I am extremely pleased then, as will be the residents of the area, that the Roads Service have given a commitment to make these traffic lights fully functional at the start of December".

CRÍOCH


Note to editors:

  • 'Taggart Homes' were responsible for installing and making functional the traffic lights at this junction.
  • These works commenced on 26th March 2008 and were initially planned to last 12 weeks.
  • The developers contractor apparently left the site at the start of September.
  • The Roads Service wrote to 'Taggart Homes' asking for a report on the development of the issue.
  • 'Taggart Homes' subsequently went into administration.
  • The Roads Service sought legal advice on how to proceed. They then served notice on 'Taggart Homes' advising them of their obligations. They were advised that failure to respond positively would result in DRD Roads Service having to complete the outstanding work at the junction and claim back the associated costs.