Funding for fixing ‘Rat Runs’ denied

Local councillors’ plea for government funding for the upkeep of the roads diverting traffic from Virginia has been denied by Darragh O’Brien, Minister for Transport.

Shane P O’Reilly was particularly “disappointed” with the wording of the letter the councillors had received in response to their inquiry to the minister to support the upkeep of the local roads.

“I’ve been a councillor long enough,” he retorted. “I don’t need to be explained how funding works.”

According to the independent councillor, traffic heading from Maghera to Cross or Munterconnaught had significantly increased - “not all locals” - calling it a “rat run” for everyone who wanted to avoid getting stuck in Virginia.

Trevor Smith (FG) agreed that the letter in itself was “terrible”. They had approached the minister in good faith and had expected “a more in depth answer” than a “letter sounding like it was sent to a child”, said TP O’Reilly (FG). He continued: “We don’t have the funding to upkeep the roads with not only the wear and tear, but the sheer volumes of cars.”

The bigger picture here was the constant delay of the Virginia bypass, TP O’Reilly stated. “To be sent back such a letter is insulting,” added Winston Bennett (FG).

For Cllr Noel Connell (SF) this was another sign that “the government has forgotten about rural Ireland”.

Something needed to be done on those roads as they would “scare the living life out of you” driving them.

In the same vein, Shane P O’Reilly addressed the situation at the crossroads in Cross, calling it a “deathtrap”.

The church and the neighbouring family had been more than accommodating over the years to keep the sidelines clear for impeding traffic to see other cars approaching.

“We have tried our best, but I personally believe that a four-way-stop is the only way to go, even on a trial basis,” he suggested.

Cllr TP O’Reilly supported the motion: “We have discussed this before, it seems to be the only solution.”

While he felt it shouldn’t be their responsibility to “tell people how to drive” it was frustrating to see that this was the only way to solve the issue of dangerous cross roads. Noel Connell agreed that it was necessary for safety reasons. Ballyjamesduff MD Area engineer John McGahern said there was no issue putting up a four-way-stop at the crossroads once the councillors had demonstrated urgency.