Ford calls on Road Service to act to stop traffic chaos for Glengormley people

12.13.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 16th Oct 2007

Alliance leader David Ford MLA

Alliance Leader David Ford and South Antrim MLA has called on Roads Service to install a temporary bridge to ease the traffic chaos facing residents of Hightown and Mayfield in Glengormley and those who work in Mallusk. The chaos comes as a result of a bridge being closed in order to allow improvements to the M2. The diversion outlined for residents in the area will involve them having to negotiate Sandyknowes roundabout.

David Ford MLA said: "The Hightown bridge will be out of action for six weeks from Sunday 21 October and totally closed for a year from January 2008, due to ongoing improvements to the M2.

"The residents of Mayfield and Hightown deserve decent infrastructure. The need for a bridge there is underlined by the fact that the population is increasing, and the diversion will add to the ever increasing chaos at the notorious Sandyknowes roundabout.

"This bridge closure is the same as cutting off a town the size of Ballycastle.

"If there is an emergency in the area, fire engines and ambulances will have a significant increase in response times. This is totally unacceptable.

"We need to see a temporary bridge being installed, even if only has a single carriageway. I call on Roads Service to look into this as a matter of urgency."

ENDS