Limavady cul-de-sac "resembles a car park" as school rush leaves residents frustrated

Rathbrady Road in Limavady is home to a primary school as well as multiple residential houses.

Residents have expressed their concerns regarding parking in the area as the congested road has left them unable to leave their homes on multiple occasions.

Speaking with the County Derry Post, one concerned resident said she believes the road is not safe for youngsters going to and from school and the constant congestion is impacting her daily life.

"The street is not safe for pedestrians," she said. "The whole street looks like a car park during the school rush hours.

"It's also in the evenings and the weekends when different clubs are on. It is constant and it is causing chaos for residents who live here."

The resident, whose home looks onto the school, says she has also contacted authorities regarding the safety of the road.

"There are no speed bumps, there are no flashing signs, there are no 'School Zone' signs, speed limits- nothing," she continued. "People are parking on the pavement, they are blocking footpaths, they are blocking our garages.

"Other than not being able to leave the street when you require to, I do not think it is safe for the youngsters coming out of the school.

"The road is so busy and there are cars everywhere, blocking every direction and blocking the garages on Massey Avenue. We are always encouraged to walk; but there's no footpath; we are encouraged to cycle but there's no cycle path. This area has been left behind and it is a disaster waiting to happen.

"Wheelchairs and prams cannot safely access the footpath, there are cars blocking both sides of the street, round to Massey Avenue and all the way down to Roe Mill.

"There needs to be consideration for the residents and a new plan in place; a new car park, a new system, proper signage and more double yellow lines,  something has to be done. The street is not safe for pedestrians- never mind child pedestrians."

A spokesperson for the Department for Infrastructure (DfI ) said that the DfI currently "has no plans to introduce additional waiting restrictions at Rathbrady Road" and this includes the introduction of any additional double yellow lines or a 20mph limit.

They explained: “The second tranche of part-time 20mph speed limits at schools has just been completed with 215 schools benefiting from the initiative. 

"The Department is currently carrying out a review of this work to determine if a further tranche is justified.

"Until this review is complete the Department is not in a position to commit to install part-time 20mph speed limits at any more schools.”