A REVIEW of the speed limit on a stretch of the Newtownards to Portaferry Road is to take place.
Infrastructure Minister, John O’Dowd, has confirmed the review is to take place after being questioned in the Assembly this week by Strangford MLA Nick Mathison.
Mr Mathison said residents living on the A20 Portaferry Road believed the speed limit should be set at 40mph for motorists leaving the Newtownards and approaching the Teal Rocks development because of the ‘accident history’ of the area.
He said: “This is an issue I have campaigned on for a number of years now.
“Residents are clear that the speed limit as you exit Newtownards and approach the Teal Rocks development needs to be set at 40mph until at the very least you pass Teal Rocks.
“The accident history and topography of the area simply do not allow speeds of 60mph to be reached safely and the current national speed limit on this stretch of road is entirely inappropriate.”
Mr Mathison continued: “I was very pleased that Minister O’Dowd responded positively to my questions on this issue and has confirmed that his officials have now actively opened up a review of the speed limit for this stretch of road.
“Reviews have been carried out before, however, and no change was forthcoming. I hope this time the Minister will listen to residents and back a speed limit of 40mph and make this area safer for drivers and pedestrians alike.
“He has also undertaken to keep elected representatives fully updated with the progress of this work and to explain the rationale for any decisions reached.
“I will be keeping a close eye on these promised communications in the weeks ahead – too many years have passed with this road being maintained at an unsafe speed limit.”
