Work on an accident blackspot in Richhill, which claimed the life of a young Co Armagh woman, has begun this week.
Twenty-year-old Shannon Weir, from Tandragee, lost her life after the car she was travelling in collided with a cement lorry on a sharp blind corner on the Legacorry Road in January 2016.
The accident also left another young woman with serious injuries, which required months of rehabilitation.
Newry and Armagh DUP Assemblyman William Irwin had tirelessly lobbied for the improvement works and is delighted his, and others’ safety concerns, are being listened to.
“Hearing of this awful tragedy and meeting the late Shannon Weir’s family in the days following the accident was so heart-breaking,” Mr Irwin explained.
“Mr Weir sincerely asked me a public representative to see that something was done with this blind bend to reduce the risk for all motorists.
“I resolved within myself that I would pursue this issue on behalf of the Weir family and I have maintained a continual lobby with Transport NI on the matter.
“I am pleased that during each conversation with Transport NI staff that they fully understood the importance of this case and it is good to see that work has commenced to deal with this accident black spot.”
He continued: “I want to thank Transport NI for their work on this issue and I also want to expressly thank the local land owner who has permitted the works to take place and who also has seen the importance of the works in reducing risk at this corner.
“It is of course small comfort to the Weir family given that the road has already tragically claimed the life of a dear daughter who can never be replaced.
“However, it is important that other people are not subjected to this type of risk and indeed it is worth noting that a number of accidents have occurred since the tragedy.
“The improvements which will be carried out here on Legacorry Road will make a vast improvement and that will be welcomed for all road users and local residents.”
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