Renewed attack on Roads Service over A1 plans

CONFIRMED plans to close central crossing points on the A1 carriageway locally, while signing off on access for an approved hotel at Annaghbane Road, brought Roads Service under renewed attack this week.

It came in response to a letter, in which Acting Divisional Roads Manager R. S. Ellison told the district council Roads Service had no objections to the planned hotel and was not presently considering closing the gap that facilitated the AnnaghBane Road/A1 junction, though it was the agency’s policy, he said, to close up all gaps in the A1 central median.

Councillor John Hanna, who earlier this year accused Roads Service of glaring inconsistency in proposing the closure of the central median from Hillsborough to Loughbrickland, given the approval of a hotel with access onto the A1, again lashed out when the letter came before the public services liaison committee last week.

"It didn’t answer the question hanging over a decision that flew in the face of logic," he said. He insisted there appeared to be one set of rules for some people and another set of rules for others; you could do what you wanted if you were putting up a hotel, but it was a different story if you were a farmer.

Subject to public consultation, Roads Service proposes closing the central crossing points from the Hillsborough Road Roundabout, Hillsborough, to Loughbrickland’s Grovehill Road junction, as part of plans for additional grade-separated junctions, or underpasses.

It would mean vehicles accessing that section of the carriageway being able only to turn left onto and from the A1 and it has been claimed it would mean massive disruption for drivers.

In its most recent letter to the council, Roads Service said it had no objections to the proposed hotel, its consultants having confirmed it would not have a major impact on the roads network; the Annaghbane Road junction had been realigned and widened, and left and right-turn deceleration lanes provided.

Phase Two of the A1 junction scheme from Hillsborough to Loughbrickland, the agency said, would include additional underpasses to facilitate “detours and U-turners” along that section of road. Councillors seeking further information were asked to contact a Mr. Thomas Kelly.

Councillor David Herron suggested the council invite Mr. Kelly to an upcoming meeting to explain what “alternatives” he had for local drivers. Councillor Seamus Doyle lisewise suggested the council raise the matter at its meeting with Roads Service and have the “experts” explain.

Mr. Hanna, however, remained unconvinced. “They can ‘explain’ until they’re blue in the face,” he said. “How can you explain this?”

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