A24 Ballynahinch bypass

I am a regular traveller through the town by road.

I opt to avoid making use of the facilities in the town when I can, and go elsewhere, because traffic is so bad, and the town centre is unpleasant to traverse to the different shops as a pedestrian; and very difficult to manage with shopping and trying to keep children safe.

There is significant conflict between pedestrians and HGVs in the town, with long vehicles and agricultural machinery negotiating the one way system.
There is significant congestion during school run hours, with longer distance traffic conflicting with destination traffic, resulting in delays to business travel between Newcastle and Belfast.
The junction of the B2/A24 to the south of the town is of a low standard, with no signal control, resulting in delays to B2 traffic exiting towards the town, or traffic pulling out in front of other vehicles - the B2 being the main route to Downpatrick. The junction is also a non standard design with a side road coming in at an angle, resulting in unclear priorities.

From a safety perspective alone, the bypass needs - but all the additional traffic concentrates pollution within the town and outside peoples houses and schools, and discourages non motorised journeys.

Safety and delays getting to Belfast

As a driving instructor, I witness daily the need for this. Unnecessary traffic endangering elderly and school children.

I have witnessed the death of Ballynahinch since they implemented the one way system. Well established local business gone, our architectural heritage decimated along with any sense of community.

I don't want to see any more lives lost in Ballynahinch.