Residents of a south Armagh village have taken to the street in a campaign for measures to improve pedestrian safety.
A young child was seriously injured in an estate in Camlough in the past and since that time nothing has been done to improve the situation.
Now people living in Cloughan Court – together with local councillors – have been out and about to try and drive the message home.
They fear lives will be lost if something is not done to try and force drivers in the area to slow down – and to have proper crossing in place to allow people to pass over the road and make their way into the village.
‘Kill Your Speed’ posters were erected by residents who were joined on their safety crusade by Sinn Féin Councillors Oonagh Magennis and Declan Murphy.
Said Councillor Murphy: “Car speed and safe pedestrian crossings from Cloughan Court into Camlough village and up to St Malachy’s Primary School are issues of huge concern
“At the minute, residents of Cloughan Court are having great difficulty in crossing a very busy stretch of road in order to get to a safe footpath on the other side, only to have to cross again to get up to the local primary school. It is an extremely dangerous situation.”
Councillor Oonagh Magennis added: “Some time back a young child living in the estate sustained quite serious injuries whilst crossing the road.
“At a recent meeting with the young person’s family and with Cloughan Court residents concerns were raised about the situation and in particular the issue of no footpath on the left hand side of the road for a safe passage to the school and to the village and that of motorists speeding.
“We are highlighting the issues of concern but ultimately we wish to see them addressed.
“A letter to the Department for Infrastructure outlining our worries and requesting traffic calming and pedestrian safety measures has been sent and we await their response.”
