Statement by TUV Bannside councillor and deputy presiding councillor of Mid and East Antrim Timothy Gaston:
“Since June of last year I have been pressing TransportNI about the poor visibility for vehicles on the left side when emerging from Mount Pleasant onto Craigs Road.
“Last month I was at last advised that the changes meet “the criteria to progress to further more detailed appraisal” but that a number of stages of approvals would have to be gone through before “it might be considered for prioritisation onto a works programme”.
“Similarly following a planning meeting in December I raised the poor visibility at the Redford Road/Dunnygarron Road junction. I have been advised that a site inspection and assessment has resulted in TransportNI concluding that there is merit in developing a scheme to improve the sight lines on the eastern side of the junction.
“However, again I have been warned that budgetary pressures mean there is very limited funding for minor road schemes and there are a long list of worthwhile schemes to be progressed.
“While I understand that we are living in a time of austerity and I accept that Northern Ireland has to play its part in getting the nation’s finances in order I am deeply concerned that the inordinate delay faced by relatively minor schemes to improve roads is resulting in unacceptable dangers to motorists.
“There is a pressing need for Northern Ireland to reassess its priorities when it comes to public spending given that matters as minor as this are becoming such an issue.
“Those who continue to prop up the Belfast Agreement need to justify how, for example, Northern Ireland can afford £400 million in the lifetime of the current Assembly on useless North/South bodies.
“The DUP and Sinn Fein need to explain why the Office of the First and deputy First Minister can justify a staffing bill which is two thirds that of the White House and employing twice as many civil servants as the Prime Minister.”