Department of Infrastructure content with surface at ‘dangerous’ bend
By Caoimhe Hegarty
Upgraded warning signs and renewed road markings are safety measures that the Department of Infrastructure are proposing for a notorious hairpin bend just outside Magherafelt, it can be revealed today.
A spokesperson for Transport NI confirmed the planned measures for the Desertmartin Road and Roshure Road, following concerns from a local homeowner highlighted by the County Derry Post last week.
While the Department of Infrastructure ruled out reduced speed limits and traffic control measures, it stated that it will ‘continue to monitor’ the bend.
A Department for Infrastructure spokesperson said: “Following a recent inspection of the area, the Department is content that the road surface is in a satisfactory condition and the crossfall/cambers are adequate.”
However, Gerard Doyle, who lives with his wife and two young children, in a property off the bend, has said that the proposed safety measures are ‘simply not good enough.’
For the past ten years, Mr Doyle has being recording the number of crashes on the stretch of road outside his home. During that time, he believes there has been upwards of 12 separate accidents.
However the County Derry Post can confirm that the latest accident occurred on the Desertmartin Road last Tuesday morning.
While there were no serious injuries sustained during the crash, it prompted PSNI in Magherafelt to appeal to motorists to ‘slow down.’
Speaking last night, Mr Doyle last night said: “The response from the Department in relation to dangers associated with this bend, is completely unsatisfactory given the fact we've had another accident within the space of three weeks.
The dad-of-two continued: “We've had warning markings ‘slow down’ added to the road before the bend which is totally inadequate. If the Department is willing to stand over the surface and are unwilling to reconsider the speed limit, we'd accept nothing less than large warning signage with red digital display flashing ‘slow down’ before the bends which is suitable for rural roads.
“This proposed safety measure are simply not good enough. The Department should not be allowed to get away with treating this road in the manner they have done so to date given the sheer number of accidents,” he said.
Following last week’s story, The County Derry Post has since been contacted by Draperstown woman, Sharon Donnelly, who crashed her car (pictured) while travelling along this stretch of Road last month.
Luckily, Ms Donnelly, who was travelling alone, escaped with just minor injuries. However she has echoed, Mr Doyle’s calls for more to be done before ‘someone is killed or seriously injured.’
“I had actually stopped to let another motorist across the road, so I was only going between 40 and 45mph when the back of my car just skidded. I was then put into the verge and my car landed on its side,” she said.
Continuing, Ms Donnelly said: “Luckily, there was no other cars coming the other way or else they would have been straight into me. I was really shook up but I walked away with just a bang to my head and a cut to my hand. If I had been going at any speed, I don’t think I would have been so lucky,” she said.
“Since my crash, I have heard of two others accidents which occurred on the same week. I know for a fact that my accident had nothing to do with speed, I have always known to go easy because the road is so dangerous. I believe that it is the road’s surface. On a dry day you can see that the sleek surface. Something definitely needs to be done, before someone is killed or seriously injured,” said Sharon.