A 3 meter wide service lane on Clagh Vane Estate is being used by Crossag Close residents as a faster short cut to their homes putting residents and children’s lives at risk. Locals who’s houses back on to the lane say cars are being driven up and down the lane like a normal road, and every time you set foot out of your back gate you take your life in your hands, the lane is commonly used by children from other parts of the estate as a short cut to get to the local shop.

The reason for the sudden increase in traffic is the closing of one small section of the Clagh Vane horseshoe due to demolition of the houses on one side, and rather than going around the other side of the horseshoe drivers are using the service lane as a short cut. The lane is as stated a service lane for deliveries to the shop and for residents to get too and receive deliveries at their back gates.

BADRA’s  assistant secretary Eddie Power contacted DoLGE, who are responsible for the refurbishments etc going on around the estate, a DoLGE officer told him that prior to the road closure on the estate, they (DoLGE) approached the DoT as they recognised that this problem would arise, but the DoT could not come up with a solution, when the suggestion of speed humps being put in place was put forward, DoT’s reply was that due to a partial sighted man living on the lane it was not a good idea. It might be prudent to point out at this point that it was the partial sighted man who first pointed out this problem, and also when asked he said ‘that is crazy I have no problem with speed humps being put in, I would feel safer with the humps in’

Obviously DoLGE have done everything they can maybe the DoT would like to move and put things right before someone is injured or worse. 

Eddie Power

Editor

www.badra.org