Residents insist ‘road closed’ message still not getting through to motorists at Markethill

Motorists are continuing to ignore road closed instructions at Markethill despite warnings from local police.

And locals are also up in arms that the laws of the road are being flouted.

An eight-week resurfacing and improvement scheme is currently underway on the Tandragee Road, just off the main Armagh to Newry Road at Markethill.

Last week, the PSNI in Armagh was forced to warn motorists against driving through the road closure to proceed on to the main Markethill Road.

And local resident Neville Black also contacted Armagh I to express his fears of serious injury – or worse – because of the blatant disregard being shown.

Mr Black – who takes an alternative route behind Gosford to Mullabrack and on to Markethill – warned that the high volumes of traffic proceeding through without taking any notice of the restrictions was an accident waiting to happen.

Eight days later – and with six weeks of the scheme remaining – and the situation has not eased.

Mr Black said this evening (Thursday): “Cars, lorries and buses still continue to drive through the road closed signs and drivers hurl abuse at oncoming traffic who are coming through the proper way.

“It’s well past time to hand out a few ticket!”

Mr Black says he used the road “three or four times a day”.

And he added: “All the locals are complaining about the abuse. It would not take long for police to book plenty, especially at peak times – it’s just constant all day long!”

Police again warned drivers to abide by the law.

“We are recieving lots of calls still about the breach of this sign on Tandragee Road, Markethill, coming in from motorists who have had near misses – going the right way –  and residents in the area who are concerned,” the PSNI in Armagh said.

“The roadworks are going to be there for another few weeks to come, and there are alternative routes via Dinahorra Road (Poyntzpass Road) and Bryandrum/Tannaghmore and Mullaghbrack Roads, that will take you back onto the main Gosford Road.”

Police say they monitored this section of the road for a period of time on Thursday, and said most drivers were understanding when spoken to.

And to those who are not getting the message, the reminded: “It’s dangerous – and even more so when it’s busy.”

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