New £1m junction for Ballinderry Road

Councillor Thomas Beckett and Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson have been campaigning for five years to have something done to improve the safety of the dangerous crossroads, which has resulted in several vehicle collisions over the years.

When he gave the go ahead for the scheme Roads Minister Danny Kennedy explained: “The improvements will include a realignment of the Ballinderry Road and provision of right turn pockets on the A26 Glenavy Road for vehicles turning right onto the Lower Ballinderry and Ballinderry Road.

“This, much anticipated, scheme will help improve road safety and traffic flow on this busy stretch of road.

“I am delighted to see the junction improvement scheme at Ballinderry crossroads making progress and look forward to its completion in the next few weeks,” said Mr Donaldson.

“Together with my colleague Councillor Thomas Beckett,

“I had several meetings with the Roads Service on behalf of local residents who were experiencing significant difficulties in crossing the main A26 airport road, especially at peak traffic times.

“This caused much inconvenience for local people who could find themselves sitting in a queue of traffic on either side of the junction for several minutes.

“There were also concerns about road safety, with motorists and pedestrians running the gauntlet to try and cross over the junction in the middle of fast moving traffic on the main road.

“With the changes to the layout of the junction, such delays can now be avoided and both motorists and pedestrians will feel much safer crossing the airport road without disrupting traffic flows.”

Councillor Thomas Beckett added: “At the last meeting I had with roads service personnel I was given assurances that adequate signs would be introduced to warn motorists of the changes made to the road layout.

I would warn drivers to be cautious when the new junction and road opens.

“The improvements will mean it will now become more easier to cross what had been a busy and dangerous junction to negotiate.”