UUP urges traffic help for East Londonderry villages

Speaking on behalf of the UUP association, Mr Carmichael added: “It is important we have the opportunity to air these important points in the presence of the Ministers and they need to visit the area to see the situation for themselves.

“Issuing fancy-worded statements from the Assembly Chamber dispatch boxes is only meaningless rhetoric. If these two Sinn Fein ministers are genuinely serious about wanting to see Northern Ireland work, they will come to East Londonderry to see for themselves.

“These Sinn Fein Ministers need to do more than just say they want to fix the pothole plague which has seriously affected East Londonderry. They must do more than just provide cash to fix the potholes; they must upgrade the entire rural network across the constituency.

“There are three areas that should be considered. First, there is tourism. As representatives for East Londonderry, our UUP councillors and UUP association officers are doing our level best to encourage tourists to visit that beautiful area. It is almost impossible, especially during the summer, for traffic to get through some villages.

“Considering the coaches that are now being used, and the number of people who arrive to see the beauty of that lovely route along the coast, it is important to take this issue seriously and to ensure that there is a free flow of traffic through those villages during the summer.

“It is not simply a question of traffic management; it is important to provide areas in which people can park their cars. If we are to increase tourism, this issue must be taken seriously, progressed and examined in its entirety to ensure that those who are breaking the traffic laws are brought to book.

“Secondly, the economics of the area must be considered. People who drive along that route to see the beauty of the road may wish to stop for a meal at one of the hotels, restaurants or coffee shops.

“However, because of the traffic problems and congestion, they may turn away to find somewhere else where they can enjoy their meal without worrying about the traffic.

“In connection with the economic issue, people who own shops and businesses, and especially the farming community - who come to the area for the market and to exchange their goods - must also be considered. How on earth are those people supposed to conduct their business if illegal parking on both sides of the road is allowed to continue?

“Thirdly, this problem should not be considered only from the point of view of the villages alone. The issue needs to be addressed with reference to the roads network through the constituency’s towns, too. When that is taken into account, it will be seen in the context of something far greater.

“We as an UUP association are challenging these two Sinn Fein Ministers to take on board the fact that regulations have been put in place, but that no follow-up action has been taken, which has led to the continuation of old bad habits.

“We in the UUP are sure that if the issue is taken seriously, the tourist, business and farming industries on which the economy of East Londonderry thrives, will be boosted for the benefit of all in the constituency. But at this point in time, we need action on the ground on the roads network - not fancy speeches in the Stormont Chamber from these Sinn Fein Ministers,” said Mr Carmichael.