The Alliance Party’s Regional Development Spokesperson, Cllr Naomi Long MLA, and Castlereagh Councillor Sara Duncan, have welcomed a commitment by Roads Service to review traffic counts undertaken in Beechgrove Avenue, which led to the removal of winter salting services last year, and to review their decision.
Naomi Long said: “Last winter a series of roads in East Belfast and Castlereagh were removed from the winter salting schedule. I campaigned successfully with my Alliance colleagues to have the decisions reversed in both McCaughan Park and Casaeldona and we have continued to work with local residents throughout the spring and summer to pursue a similar reversal of the decision in Beechgrove Avenue.
“On close inspection of the traffic surveys upon which the decision was based, it was clear that they only took account of traffic entering and leaving one end of Beechgrove Avenue. Roads Service has confirmed that they are going to undertake new traffic counts in October of this year and review last year’s decision to remove gritting in light of the new results.
Cllr Sara Duncan said, “This is clearly good news for the residents of Beechgrove Avenue. Whilst no commitment has been given to reinstate winter salting, I would be hopeful that the new traffic survey is the first step towards that. I will be pressing to have this matter resolved before the onset of winter, in order to ensure the safety of residents and road users.”