A report from the Department of Infrastructure that determined a troublesome Silverbridge junction did not meet criteria for improvements has been challenged by a local MLA.
In December of last year, politicians renewed demands for improved safety at Ford’s Cross in Silverbridge following another serious crash at the intersection.
Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan, and party colleague Councillor Áine Quinn, issued a joint call for urgent action at the junction, saying recent incidents highlight long-standing concerns over road safety.
Ford’s Cross has long been regarded as an accident black-spot. Over many years the junction, where roads from Newry, Crossmaglen, Newtownhamilton and Dundalk meet, has seen numerous vehicles lose control, crash into fields or collide with the memorial standing at the site.
Local campaigners have repeatedly called on the DfI to install improved signage, road markings, better lighting and even flashing warning lights to make the junction safer — especially for drivers unfamiliar with the rural layout.
Despite these calls, little has changed — and as recent events show, the junction remains dangerous.
Lobbying for a more comprehensive approach to the problem, Councillor Quinn pushed for an assessment of the junction to deem its suitability for improved safety measures.
However, the conclusion of that assessment leaves it unlikely that any further work will get underway.
Determined not to let that be the end, Ms Finnegan has again pressed the Minister for Infrastructure for additional information, asking – pursuant to the Department’s response to Cllr Quinn – her to detail any criteria used to determine that this junction did not meet the requirements for the mentioned safety works.
