Alliance Strangford MLA Nick Mathison has expressed his sympathies following the death of a man in a motorcycle crash in Newtownards.

The man in his 30s died after the bike struck a wall on the Portaferry Road around 7pm yesterday (Thursday).

The Alliance MLA has been involved in a road safety campaign at the location for several years and said sadly such tragedies were all too familiar.

“My thoughts and sympathies go to the loved ones of the man who died in this accident,” said Mr Mathison.

“My thanks also go to the PSNI officers and emergency services who attended the scene, as well as local residents, who had access to their homes restricted throughout the night.

“There have been many accidents and near misses at this location over the past number of years and sadly we are looking at tragedy once again. I have been campaigning alongside local residents of the nearby Teal Rocks development, all of whom recognise the danger of a national speed limit at this location, which is a windy, rural road.

“This tragic incident further highlights the need for the Department for Infrastructure to urgently review the speed limit on this stretch of road. It is not safe for residents, it is not safe for pedestrians and it is not safe for drivers and sadly we are now witnessing the consequences.”