Every Newry driver knows the frustration of trying to leave the city along the Armagh Road at peak times – but is enough being done to fix it?
Former councillor and Aontú Newry representative Roisin Mulgrew is asking whether authorities have “seriously failed” in planning roads and access around the Fiveways roundabout and Damolly Retail Park, describing the area as a “key chokepoint” that has become a daily ordeal for motorists.
Ms Mulgrew says she has been “inundated” with complaints from local residents and people travelling through the city, and questions whether the long‑mooted Newry Southern Relief Road – if it even goes ahead – will do anything to ease the particular bottleneck at Damolly.
The former councillor stated: “Whilst it might seem like a lesser issue to an external observer, it is a perennial problem to the motorists and it must be tackled.
“Much has been made recently about the Newry Southern Relief Road, but even if such a project proceeds – which is not certain when looking at Stormont’s abysmal record on infrastructure – it will not directly address congestion at this key chokepoint.”
When pressed on her ideas on this issue, Mulgrew explained, “We in Aontú have a long record of drawing attention to problems in infrastructure projects both north and south, accountability is extremely important, and so is innovative, out-of-the-box thinking. We are calling for a feasibility assessment to be carried out on whether traffic lights could be installed near the Damolly exit to ease traffic flow. We’re also calling for an additional exit from Damolly Retail Park onto Carnbane Way to stop a buildup of traffic at the Armagh Road exit.”
Turning her focus to her electoral rivals, Mulgrew called for the Minister for Infrastructure, Liz Kimmins to look into the issue personally.
“Liz is not only the infrastructure Minister at Stormont, she’s also a local MLA for Newry, and she needs to wear both hats simultaneously. Her full attention should be given to Newry at all times, but especially when it is an infrastructure issue. I am seeking an urgent meeting with the minister or with officials from her department to address this issue ASAP.”
