Questions have been asked of the Department for Infrastructure’s gritting schedule after a double-decker school bus skidded off a rural road near Lurgan.
The Ulsterbus, driving along the Bannfoot Road, Derrytrasna, ended up in a very precarious and potentially life-threatening situation on Monday (January 5) when frosty, ungritted roads caused it to skid into the grass verge.
Thankfully all aboard escaped without injury on this occasion.
Infuriated by the close call – which is allegedly just one of many previous incidents – former SDLP Councillor for Craigavon, Declan McAlinden asked: “When are the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) going to start taking the residents of our rural communities seriously?”
Speaking to Armagh I, the former Councillor – who remains a passionate voice for his community – explained that he and many other local representatives have been lobbying for the Bannfoot Road to be added to the Department’s gritting schedule for “a lifetime”.
The road is a “dead end”, the Councillor explained. But it is densely populated.
There have been countless incidents over the years, he says, where vehicles have left the ungritted road during inclement weather.
Explaining the severity of the issue, Mr McAlinden added: “When you’re leaving the Derrymacash Road to come onto the Bannfoot Road you’re leaving a gritted road to go onto a non-gritted road without warning. There are no signs, no indications.
“It’s a major safety concern and has been for a lifetime. I was really concerned that that was a double-decker bus this morning, the weight of that when it hit the verge, if it had gone into a ditch it could very easily have toppled over.
“If it had of toppled over we could have been dealing with numerous fatalities.”
Mr McAlinden also argues that the road is frequented daily by care workers, residents, farmers and countless others and should be made a priority on the gritting list for Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
Sinn Fèin Councillor Catherine Nelson also expressed serious concern adding: ““My thoughts are with everyone involved in these incidents, and I sincerely hope that all passengers and drivers are safe and unharmed,” Cllr Nelson said.
“Bannfoot Road is a local rural road and does not fall within DFI Roads winter gritting network, which understandably prioritises main routes and higher-traffic roads. However, incidents like those we have seen this morning clearly demonstrate the very real dangers posed by untreated local roads during periods of ice and snow.”
Cllr Nelson confirmed that she will be raising the issue directly with DfI Roads to press for additional safety measures, including the provision of salt bins.
“The safety of residents, road users and schoolchildren must come first,” said the Councillor. “Rural communities cannot be left exposed when weather conditions deteriorate, and I will continue to advocate strongly for practical measures to improve safety on our local road network.”
The responsibility for adding the Bannfoot Road to the Council’s gritting schedule lays with the Department for Infrastructure.
Armagh I have contacted DfI for a response and will provide an update in due course.
