A dad from Co Down expressed his concerns about the condition of the roads in the area following a school bus crash that occurred on Monday, October 7. The crash involved a Translink Ulsterbus service carrying pupils from Strangford College to Bangor, which overturned on the Ballyblack Road East near Newtownards. Emergency services responded to the scene, with 43 pupils and the driver receiving treatment, and four pupils were taken to the hospital.
Karl, whose son is a pupil at the school, highlighted the urgent need for road repairs and upgrades in the area. He mentioned that the roads on the Ards Peninsula have not been updated for decades, leading to issues such as potholes, soft verges, and narrow roads. Karl emphasized that the roads are not suitable for double-decker buses, tractors, and lorries, creating a dangerous situation for all road users.
He described the roads as narrow and outdated, with larger vehicles constantly coming in close proximity to the edges. Karl also mentioned the poor condition of the road surfaces, noting that he had to replace the shocks on his car recently due to the state of the roads. He called for the Department for Infrastructure to develop a plan to improve the road network in the Ards Peninsula to prevent future incidents.
Karl expressed his belief that the school bus crash was inevitable given the state of the roads and urged the authorities to allocate funds for a long-term project to address the road issues. He criticized the temporary measures taken to fix the roads, stating that a more comprehensive approach is needed to ensure road safety in the area.
In response to these concerns, the Department for Infrastructure updated the Ards and North Down Borough Council on past and future road improvement schemes. The Divisional Roads Manager, Mr. Mark McPeak, acknowledged the budget challenges but reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to enhancing local transport, safety schemes, and maintenance programs to improve road safety.
He outlined several completed and upcoming road improvement projects in the area, including street lighting repair services, pedestrian islands, and Puffin facilities. The Department also mentioned completed carriageway resurfacing schemes and surface dressing projects across the borough to address road maintenance issues.
When contacted about the road conditions, a spokesperson for the Department for Infrastructure expressed sympathy for those affected by the school bus crash and assured support for the PSNI investigation. The Department’s focus remains on addressing road safety concerns and implementing necessary improvements to ensure the well-being of road users in the area.
