Melmount Road safety issues aired at meeting

ROAD officials have attended a meeting on a stretch of the Melmount Road in Strabane following concerns about the safety of families accessing the Sure Start Family Centre.

The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has committed to a road safety assessment following a recent incident involving a mother and child attending the centre, which highlighted concerns around safe access for young children, expectant parents, families and other vulnerable road users.

West Tyrone Sinn Féin MP., Órfhlaith Begley, who has been pressing DfI on the matter said officials have committed to examining the existing road layout, traffic conditions, pedestrian movements and wider road safety concerns.

Speaking after the meeting, the MP, who has previously warned action must be taken before there is a serious incident, said: "We held a site meeting with DfI Roads and SureStart following concerns raised about road safety for families, children and other vulnerable road users.

"DfI Roads will assess the road layout, traffic, pedestrian movements and existing crossings.

"I will continue to press for meaningful improvements and safer access for families.

"Please be mindful of young children walking along this road.

Party colleague and West Tyrone MLA., Paul Boggs, also attended the on-site meeting.

He described the meeting with DfI as "productive".

"We will continue to work with them and SureStart to try and get a solution to the road safety concerns on this road," he said.

"These crossings are not suitable given the fact traffic into the car park will increase when Tescos open their shop in the Home Bargains site."