Road rage
Members of the Traveller community have called for urgent action saying that the lack of street lighting and footpaths on the road near their dwellings is creating a death trap.
By Ursula Duddy
New developments built for the Travelling community by the Housing Executive and North West Housing Association on the Ballyarnett Road have been welcomed, however, the Road Service has come under fire for failing to provide footpaths and adequate lighting in the area.
Resident, Biddy Crumlish said that the road outside the development is extremely dangerous: “We need more signs up to ask people to go 40 miles per hour, they need to slow down or they will kill one of the children.”
Mrs Crumlish said walking down the road outside her home is made extremely difficult and hazardous by the lack of paths: “I went out for a walk the other day and I had to walk up on to the bank going out and coming in to get out of the way of the cars.”
Margaret Boyle, director of the Derry Travellers’ Support Group (DTSG) said these problems need to be addressed and that traffic calming measures or signage should be put in place.
“Travellers are entitled to the same service as any other group in our society; indeed the N.I Order 1998 identifies Travellers as a racial group and therefore protected under Section 75 of the act ensuring equality of service provision.
“We believe the Road Service will be in dereliction of their duties of care if they do not adequately address our concerns.
“We call on the Road Service to hold a site meeting with DTSG and local councillors to resolve all issues indicated above.”
Sinn Féin councillor, Tony Hassan urged the Road Service to act fast: “It is unfair and wrong that the travelling community are not given the same treatment as other members of our community. It is time that Road Service found an emergency budget and put lighting and footpaths in the area.”
