Statement on Harbour Traffic Issues

The following is a statement which I released on Monday morning following a meeting with Roads Service officials regarding Saturday's traffic issues in the Harbour area of Larne:

 

"The early hours of Saturday morning saw the first in a number of planned closures of the Harbour Highway. Despite a diversion being in place, there was traffic chaos in and around the Harbour area, and this continued into the evening."

 

"I was contacted by a number of residents and commuters who were not only angry at the situation, but also concerned that the gridlock would inhibit the safe and speedy movement of any emergency services which needed access to the area. I then contacted both Roads Service and the PSNI who gave commitments to work together in an attempt to alleviate the situation."

 

"On Monday morning I had a meeting with Roads Service, who apologised for the negative impact on local residents, businesses and commuters to the area. I am pleased to say that Roads Service have confirmed that extra efforts late on Sunday night ensured that all planned works were completed by 2am on Monday morning, and that the planned closure of the Harbour Highway next weekend should not take place."

 

"I have impressed upon Roads Service the need to ensure that any future works on the road in question do not result in the same situation, and thanked them for the extra efforts to ensure that no further closure is neccessary in the near future. I would also encourage all road users to adhere to any diversions in place in order to avoid the unneccessary build-up of traffic."

 

Traffic was forced to queue from the Harbour roundabout to the Glenarm Road/Curran Road lights on Sunday because of the closure of the A8 outbound lanes due to roadworks. INLT 27-370-PR. Photo courtesy of LarneTimes.co.uk