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Councillors to consider approving one-way system to ease Tandragee congestion

A proposal for a new one-way traffic system in the area of Tandragee Primary School is to be recommended for approval.

Planning officials have considered the changes and are poised to give it their backing.

It will go to this month’s meeting of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council’s planning committee with an opinion to approve, where councillors will have the final say.

There has been broad consensus in the area that the system is needed.

Among those who have been advocating the change – which will ease traffic congestion and improve safety – is Newry and Armagh DUP MLA William Irwin.

Two months ago he raised the issue directly with Education Minister Peter Weir on the floor of the Assembly, seeking an update.

The school sits on the Portadown Road and the plan is to develop land to the front for additional parking facilities and for the provision of the one-way system.

Tandragee Primary has grown in size in recent years and planning approval has also been given in recent times for a considerable extension.

There had been some concerns from residents in relation to traffic congestion and from parents in relation to road safety.

Mr Irwin – highlighting the matter at Stormont  – had described it as an “important issue” which had been raised with the Education Authority.

Minister Weir, in response, had commented: “One can never prejudge a planning application but, if it is accepted, the new revised scheme, once implemented, will ensure that adequate traffic management systems are in place and, hopefully, that congestion around Tandragee is alleviated.”

The Minister had hoped – subject to approvals – to see the works completed by the end of March 2017.

The planning and regulatory services committee – where councillors will consider the proposal before deciding whether or not to accept the recommendation – is due to sit in Craigavon on December 14.

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