Hopes for a new pedestrian footbridge on the main Newry to Armagh road at Gosford have been raised on site with a ministerial visit to “scope out possibilities”.
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins visited the area after mounting pressure to intervene.
There have been several serious collisions – and indeed fatalities – close to the entrance of Gosford Forest Park over the years.
Now the Minister has come along and met with local MLA Gareth Wilson “to discuss the need” for a footbridge.
The recently-appointed DUP representative has already raised the issue previously and believes the meeting – which was also attended by ABC Council and Forestry Service officials – to have been a “useful” engagement.
Mr Wilson described it as a “priority” for himself personally to continue to lobby for a footbridge.
It was, he said, very much needed to “provide safe passage for pedestrians to and from Markethill town and the popular forest park facility”.
And Mr Wilson added: “This was a very useful conversation with Minister Kimmins and it was good to have senior ABC Council and Forestry Service officials present, given that progress on the footbridge will take a collaborative approach from local and regional government.
“The lack of safe passage for pedestrians and the numerous accidents – including sadly fatalities – along the stretch of road is a growing concern for many people, and there is a real need for a footbridge to allow people to cross this very busy and fast stretch of carriageway in safety.”
The DUP representative said the Department for Infrastructure would be a “key driver in any footbridge project”.
And, whilst at the site, he added: “I was encouraged by the Minister’s comments and her willingness to scope out the possibilities.
“I suggested that a good first step would be a technical study that would look at the sites at each side of the road and scope out the technicalities of bridging the gap between Markethill and Gosford Forest Park in the most efficient way.”
While he accepted such a move would not be an “overnight project”, he believed that some progress had been made in the form of initiating talks.
“I am pleased that the conversation has now started with DfI, Council and Forest Service,” said Mr Wilson. “And I will be continuing to lobby and ensure that momentum is created to progress this important issue.”
This meeting on site came after the Minister had previously given an indication she would be willing to look at the matter further.
In February, again in response to a question from Mr Wilson, Ms Kimmins said she travelled that road frequently and recognised the “significant concerns”.
While it was “probably not possible” within the policy to reduce the speed limit on the Gosford Road, at Markethill, the Minister indicated them she was “happy for officials to review the assessment for a pedestrian crossing to see whether any changes are required to the original findings”.
“I am also happy to speak to other partners, such as the council and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, as there have been previous discussions about potential measures along that route,” added Minister Kimmins at the time.
“I am happy to take that forward to see whether something additional can happen. I am aware of the number of fatalities that have occurred on that road, particularly in recent years. If there are enhancements or improvements that we can make, I am happy to look into them.”
