Traffic a key priority for new Campsie Steering group

THE issue of easing the traffic congestion through Campsie Road in Omagh was among the key talking points at the inaugural meeting of a steering group for the regeneration of the area.

For many years Campsie has been and remains one of the main entry points to the town centre. But this leads to long traffic jams and congestion on almost every week day. Now, residents, businesses and local politicians are hoping that something can be done to address the problem.

They are actively considering increased signposting to encourage motorists to take alternative routes to avoid Campsie, and only go through it if they are proceeding directly to the town centre.

The new steering group which is being chaired by DUP councillor, Errol Thompson, met at the end of last week for the first time to see how best to invest a £1.1m nest egg for the regeneration of Campsie.

Although the group’s work is still at a very early stage, the traffic issue is one of its priorities. Others are set to include ways of better catering for the needs of a total of around 80 families living in the area, and supporting the local businesses in what has become one of Omagh’s most active retail locations.

A public consultation aimed at identifying suggestions for the regeneration is also to take place.

Environmental and other enhancements are also going to be talked about.

Omagh town Sinn Fein councillor, Barry McElduff, said the traffic management issue affecting Campsie was a crucial area which needed to be addressed.

“One of the priorities for this group will be to free up the bottle neck in terms of traffic that Campsie has become over the years. A good suggestion is to provide very clear signage at the Swinging Bars roundabout encouraging town centre traffic only to go through Campsie.

“More motorists would take account of signage and divert around the Great Northern Road. What we are seeing at the moment is that people enter Campsie and then decide to turn and go back towards the Hospital Road, causing further disruption.”