Call For More Safety Measures To Prevent Bridge Collisions

The Alliance Party is calling for more safety measures to be put in place after a road in North Down was again affected by a lorry hitting a bridge.

The Ballysallagh Road was blocked in one direction on Friday morning, 14 June, after the lorry struck the bridge.

Councillor Gillian Greer said she has received assurances from the Department for Infrastructure structural damage to the bridge is minimal, with a full assessment to be carried out. The road has now fully reopened.

She said: "This is a busy road used regularly by commuters, however, this is far from the first time it has been closed either fully or partially following a lorry colliding with the bridge. That has a major impact on drivers, causing extra congestion, and on nearby businesses, hitting the local economy.

"Alliance has repeatedly spoken to the Department for Infrastructure to request further safety measures along this route. As evidenced by today’s incident, it is clear the current set-up is not enough. The common sense approach would be for a form of barrier at the approaches to the bridge, to allow drivers to realise their vehicle is too tall to pass under it.

"Otherwise, chances are we will be back here in future, discussing another bridge strike on the same bridge, with commuters and businesses again experiencing serious disruption which could well be preventable if the Department did more to prevent it."