Safety concerns raised over M1 following recent fatalities

MID Ulster District Council’s vice-chair has called on the local authority to seek an urgent update on the safety of the M1 motorway between junctions 15 and 14.

Speaking at the council’s monthly meeting last Thursday, Cllr Frances Burton told the chamber that, in the past 24 months, there had two fatalities and four cars had left the road between the Tamnamore interchange and the Stangmore interchange.

“Can I ask that council seeks an urgent update on the M1?” said the vice-chair.

“It was closed quite recently on a Sunday morning.

‘There have been six vehicles that have left the eastbound motorway between junction 15 and junction 14 in the past two years.

“I know of people who are advising younger members of their family to go into the fast lane if there are wet conditions and not to be on the inside lane.

“The road was closed and I know they are doing an assessment but there have been two fatalities and four cars have left this road and this has all taken place within the last two years.

“So can we please get an urgent update from DfI (Department for Infrastructure) Roads on what is happening with it.”

BY ADAM MORTON

Local Democracy Reporter