AQO 429/22-27 Oral question to the Minister for Infrastructure
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to outline any progress that has been made to provide traffic controlling measures at the junction between Shore Road and Glenville Road, Whiteabbey.
Asked by Stewart Dickson MLA on 2 May 2024
- Answered
- Oral
- Answered in the Chamber
- Tabled
- 2 May 2024
- Answer due by
- 14 May 2024
- Answered
- 14 May 202412 days after tabling
- Department
- Department for Infrastructure
- Priority question
- No
Answer
Answered in the Assembly Chamber on 14 May 2024. Extract from the Official Report (Hansard), including any supplementary questions:
Mr O'Dowd
A study of the Glenville Road/Shore Road junction was undertaken by my Department's consultancy partner. The junction was modelled, and several options were considered, including signalisation of the junction. Signalisation of the junction, however, has significant downsides, increasing congestion on the A2 Shore Road for a relatively small number of vehicle movements. It is also a very costly option and will be competing against other equally important schemes for my Department's limited funding. In the interim, it is proposed to renew and extend the existing yellow-box markings to provide increased visibility. My Department will also take forward a proposal to prohibit right-turn movement on the Glenville Road and U-turn movement on the signalised junction at Shore Road/Glenavna Road. A full design and detailed estimate for the signalisation of the junction will be progressed as resources permit.
Mr Dickson
I thank the Minister for his answer; indeed, I got a similar answer from the divisional roads manager today. However, Minister, your answer and the divisional roads manager's answer are localised to that particular area and the number of vehicles. There was a further accident there yesterday. There has practically been one every day in the last couple of weeks. Every time an accident happens at the junction of Glenville Road and Shore Road, traffic is backed up the whole way to the Westlink.
Madam Principal Deputy Speaker
Come to your question, Stewart.
Mr Dickson
There is a wider context than just the 47 vehicle turns at the junction.
Mr O'Dowd
I am aware of the increased accident history at the junction. I was engaged with officials in preparing for Question Time today, and we were talking through the issues. They made me aware of the increased number of accidents at that junction, and I have asked them to look into the matter further. I accept that, when you make a change at a junction or do not make a change, it impacts further down the road, perhaps, sometimes, for several miles. My Department is also aware of that, and officials will look at that as well before we make a final decision on how we move this. The interim measure will be the increase in the yellow box at the area. Again, I urge all drivers to take extreme care when using our roads.