GRIDLOCK: Residents and business owners angry over long delays and tailbacks caused by ongoing roadworks

Residents and businesses in a County Derry village say traffic is the 'worst it has ever been' due to a series of roadworks that commenced last week.

Disruption and traffic delays have been affecting Ballykelly since the Department of Infrastructure's Active Travel Scheme commenced on Monday, September 30.

The work, which is expected to last 33 weeks, extends approximately 2.6km (1.6m) along the A2 Clooney Road from Carnamuff Road to the Vale Road, Greysteel and will deliver improved facilities for pedestrians and cyclists as well as resurfacing of the carriageway.

The County Derry Post spoke to local residents and businesses who are not happy with the delays and long tailbacks caused by the roadworks.

Some business owners said the roadworks are affecting their livelihood as many motorists are not stopping due to the tailbacks.

Residents have also said they are having to leave home much earlier due to the delays. Local people have also taken to social media to vent their frustration.

One person wrote: “Us, the people of Ballykelly, are sick of not being able to go into our local shops, doctors, nurseries etc without having to get into traffic jams. Ballykelly needs a bypass, commuters are stuck from O'Hara's Car Sales on the A2 every evening trying to get through the village. DFI and John O'Dowd MLA open your eyes and see the people don't want these stupid footpaths but a bypass through the village.”

Another poster said: “So, now if people need to pull in to let emergency services or anything past where will it be? Why is this needed? Traffic for a year! Money could have been put to better use.”

Sinn Fein Councillor for the area, Dermot Nicholl, said the scheme is part of a significant investment in the area and people will have to accept the delays.

“The investment will connect Causeway Coast and Glens with Derry city and Strabane as well as Donegal areas. This will connect towns and villages through walkways and greenways which is great for the people of the area. I have already seen people making use of the walkways, people with prams, people running and walking. They will use it as it makes them feel safer,” he said.

“The investment from the Department of Infrastructure is very welcome in this area. Us in the North West are often overlooked. So it is great to see that investment come to life here. We will just have to accept the delays, and realise there will be a bit of no pain no gain while the work is being done.

“It will be an inconvenience. I understand that but I can tell you that I have been liaising with the contractors and the department and they are doing their best to minimise delays. They are very conscious of this themselves. At the end of the day it is one of the busiest routes from Derry city to Causeway Coast and Glens, so we do need to take all this into consideration.”