On Monday night councillors met with Roads Service bosses at Mossley Mill, the main topics of discussion being about grit boxes and traffic calming.

Presenting the Eastern Division Autumn Roads Report; Divisional Roads Manager, Kevin Monaghan gave members a brief update on the ongoing A2 and A8 dual carriageway projects, and highlighted a number of resurfacing schemes, pedestrian safety measures, junction improvements and street lighting upgrades carried out across the Borough. He also detailed a number of proposed minor works to improve roads and footpaths, and updated members on ongoing maintenance programmes.

Mr Monaghan, who was accompanied by Section Engineer Colin Campbell, touched on how there was more than 4.4km of carriageway resurfacing carried out this year, and ongoing footway resurfacing schemes in New Mossley. Following Mr Monaghan’s presentation, councillors took the opportunity to raise concerns about street lighting issues and road problems around the Borough. One of the recurring themes was that more grit boxes were needed to be provided in residential areas.

Mr Monaghan responded positively to a plea when several members urged the Roads Service to be “more flexible” in terms of its criteria for providing grit boxes. Specific requests were made for grit boxes to be provided in Ballyclare, Ollardale, Victoria Bridge, Ballyfore Gardens, Ballyduffand Monkstown.

Cllr Robert Hill said “The residents are willing to come out themselves and do the work, so we should be looking favourably upon it.” Another hot topic was Road safety, with several councillors urging Mr Monaghan and his engineers to look at the possibility of installing further traffic calming schemes.

The need for repairs to existing street lights, or additional lighting in some locations, was also raised by members. Mr Campbell and Mr Monaghan were asked to look at street lighting problems in several areas, including Bawnmore Drive, Sandyknowes roundabout, Carnmoney Road, Ballyeaston Road and Bernice Road in Mallusk.

Speaking ahead of Monday’s meeting, Transport Minister Danny Kennedy praised the Roads Service’s progress on more than £3million worth of road improvements and maintenance schemes in the Newtownabbey area this year, particularly the £205,000 carriageway resurfacing improvements scheme on the Antrim Road/Sandyknowes roundabout.