A council chief has said he will not spend money on a short term fix despite political pressure
Concerns have been raised relating to traffic issues at a Co Down recycling centre over fears emergency vehicles will “get blocked” on the road.
The public safety issue was raised at Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council this week, but its CEO says despite political pressure, he will not pay for a short-term fix. In the meantime motorists are having to put up with miles of gridlock until “significant capital funds” can be found.
Castlereagh South Sinn Fein councillor, Daniel Bassett said: “Could I have an update on the situation at Carryduff HRC site?
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“I have received numerous complaints from constituents as recently as this afternoon with the traffic backed right up to Saintfield Road and as far down as Carryduff roundabout and also as far up as Lidl on Church Road.
“This is not the first time this has happened particularly over the summer months and other times of the year. I’m requesting for an update on short term measures we can introduce to help alleviate any more traffic issues in the near future.”
Currently, LCCC provides three household recycling centres (HRCs) in the district at ‘The Cutts’ Derriaghy; ‘Drumlough’ Hillsborough and Carryduff for a population of almost 130k.
The “huge backlog” is also being compounded with Castlereagh East DUP Alderman, Sharon Skillen previously telling the chamber that Castlereagh residents were having to travel up to 10 miles to the Carryduff site as the closest council facility available to them.
However, the Local Democracy Reporting Service understands that wide range of issues are causing the recent significant tailbacks with a feasibility study underway.
Councillor Bassett added: “Is there anything we can do in the short-term to help alleviate the huge backlog.
“It’s just not for people who are going to the HRC site, who are getting caught in the traffic either going to work or coming home from work, there are emergency vehicles that are potentially going to get blocked along those roads.
“I think something needs to be done before any feasibility study on reconfiguring the site or a brand new site would be brought forward to us in a report.”
Council CEO David Burns responded: “In terms of Carryduff I have had letters from MPs as well as being approached by local councillors. As you know we began a feasibility study into a reconfigured recycling centre there.
“I would be against spending money there in the short-term when we know we will have to spend significant capital funds on redesigning that.
“We will have a look at your concerns. Anything that we do want to do will have some kind of a financial ramification, that will have a consideration on what can be achieved.”
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