Fears increase after another accident on treacherous route

ANOTHER upturned vehicle on the roadside has heightened fears that someone will lose their life if a treacherous surface between Gillygooley and Drumquin isn’t repaired.

Last week, the UH reported that a taxi had veered off the route, which has seen an increasing number of accidents as the condition of the road has steadily deteriorated since the summer months.

Local drivers are nervously anticipating the icy months ahead, and the loss of what little traction the road surface offers at present.

For many, this latest upturned car represents a morbid foreshadowing of what could be worse to come.

The Department of Infrastructure, which is tasked with the maintenance of our roadways, has said remedial work will not be carried out until at least the new year because of legal issues regarding their procurement process.

However, local Sinn Fein councillor and Drumquin resident, Anne Marie Donnelly, warned that people will die if the roadworks are delayed any further.

“In recent weeks, I witnessed an accident with my own eyes and heard of half a dozen more,” she told the UH.

“There is no point in Minister Mallon reverting back to the excuse of procurement problems when people’s lives are at risk.

“She and her department need to hire interim contractors to carrying emergency resurfacing work in order to prevent loss of life.

“This is not good enough,” continued Cllr Fitzgerald, “what is this road going to look like when it is icy?”

She concluded, “We are doing everything we can as a local council but we cannot mend the problem without the Department’s cooperation.”