A6 scheme 'must put our interests first'

He was speaking at a well atttended public meeting in Castledawson on Monday evening, which was called by residents of the Bells Court and Castle Oaks areas and facilitate by Roads Service who gave a presentation followed by a question and answer session.

People who will be adversely affected by the proposed route had an opportunity to air their views and have their questions answered.

Residents of the area will be subjected to the prospect of a very high volume of traffic through what is essentially a residential area.

Mr Milne said that in all these matters it is paramount to put the concerns and fears of local residents first.

“People in these areas are genuinely and rightly concerned that their quality if life will be badly affected by this proposed route,” he said.

“It will greatly increase danger from traffic in the estates as can be seen where this has happened in other parts of the Magherafelt area.

“It also has the potential to split a community needlessly as there is an alternative route using greenfield areas”.

Councillor Peter Bateson, who also attended the meeting, urged the planners to look seriously at the proposed alternative route and to take into account the fears of local residents rather than purely financial considerations when making their final decisions.