A Ballyhegan resident has raised concerns for the safety of pedestrians in the area after a “year-long” dispute over responsibility for pathway-fronting hedge maintenance without resolution.
The resident – who wished to remain anonymous – contacted Armagh I about the issue feeling they had “no other option”.
Describing the hedgerow along the Ballyhegan Road on the approach to the former Famous Grouse restaurant, the resident said they believed the overgrowth to be “an accident waiting to happen”.
The said: “There’s a twist in the road on the lead up to a corner and it’s so overgrown that you would have to leave the pavement but you couldn’t even see if there was traffic coming with the way the road bends.
“There’s a bus stop on the road near staggered cross roads and it’s down in a dip too nestled behind the hedge. It’s such a worry for people trying to walk that path.
“I have been in contact with MLA John O’Dowd about a year ago and have repeatedly tried to find out who is responsible for that area. It went back and forth for a long time about whether it was the farmer who owned the land or the Council but I have now found out that it’s Council’s responsibility.”
However, Armagh I contacted Council for confirmation and were advised to the contrary, that the responsibility lay with the Department for Infrastructure.
The resident also voiced grievance with the amount of money that is spent on the neighbouring village of Loughgall in terms of “additional extras” and asked “who is making the decisions for this?”
“Loughgall has probably had thousands spent on flowers and maintenance. Those are accessories, not necessities,” they said.
The section of path in question is moss covered and bordered with a thick bank of weeds and overgrown vegetation that means pedestrians are forced to take to the busy road on the approach to a corner.
The area of overgrowth is also situated close to local primary school, St Oliver Plunkett’s where families with young children would often attempt to navigate the walkway during peak times for traffic, said the resident.
It’s also close to a nursing home, where they say vulnerable residents would often be taken out for walks with their carers.
In addition to the inaccessible footpath, the resident cites yet more concerns for speeding along the roadway and a lack of traffic calming measures on the approach to the school.
They added: “Another issue which would need addressed would be implementing some means of traffic control to reduce cars speeding through residential areas with nearby school, bus stop and nursing home with vulnerable adults who often walk the roads.”
Over the last number of months, the resident had been in contact with DUP Councillor Lavelle McIlwrath for support.
The Councillor provided an update to the resident in June to say that progress was imminent, explaining that he had received “commitment” from Council that the footpath would be “scraped and cleared in the next few weeks”.
However, the Councillor also advised the resident that “weeks could turn into months” but that he would keep the pressure on until work had been completed.
Armagh I contacted Councillor McIlwrath for update, and he explained that it’s anticipated the Ballyhegan footpath will be cleaned early next week.
There are no updates on the introduction of traffic calming measures or hedge cutting at this time.
The Department for Infrastructure have been contacted for comment.
