Alliance representatives have renewed calls for long-term action to tackle worsening traffic congestion in Ballymoney, warning that the town’s road infrastructure has failed to keep pace with population growth and continued housing development.
Ballymoney’s population increased by around 6% between the 2011 and 2021 Censuses, with further development taking place in and around the town.
Speaking in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Monday, 21 September, North Antrim MLA Sian Mulholland highlighted congestion at the junction of Main Street, Castle Street, Meeting House Street and Seymour Street. She also raised concerns about traffic pressures on Bann Road, Bravellan Road, Finvoy Road, Ballybrakes Road, Kilraughts Road and Kirk Road.
“Since coming into office, we have repeatedly raised traffic pressures in Ballymoney with the Department for Infrastructure,” she said.
“It is deeply frustrating that, rather than seeing the problem ease, residents are telling us — and we can see for ourselves — that it is continuing to get worse.
“Ballymoney has grown, and the way people travel has changed. That growth is also expected to continue over the coming years.
“What we need now is a strategic assessment of the whole network, followed by a clear plan for investment and delivery, so that infrastructure improvements can keep pace with development.”
Ms Mulholland called on the Infrastructure Minister to commission an assessment and use it to develop, fund and deliver long-term solutions.
“We do not need another review that looks at individual pressure points in isolation, or one that simply identifies problems we already know exist and then sits on a shelf,” she added.
Ballymoney Councillor Lee Kane said the congestion was affecting residents’ daily lives, including journeys to work and school.
“This is about the everyday experience of people living here — sitting in traffic trying to get to work, getting children to school, or simply trying to make a short journey across town,” he said.
“Even over the past year, I have noticed my morning commute to the train station getting longer and longer.”
Councillor Kane said Charlotte Street illustrated the wider transport problems facing the town. While resurfacing and footway improvements carried out by the Department for Infrastructure last year were welcome, he said the road had not been designed for current traffic levels.
“We also need to look at the bottleneck at the bottom of Main Street, the roads feeding into the town, pressure on residential areas, our junctions with the A26, and safer options for children walking or cycling to school,” he said.
“Ballymoney is growing. We need a long-term transport plan that recognises that growth and ensures the town has the infrastructure it needs for the future.”
The Alliance representatives are awaiting a response from the Infrastructure Minister and said they would continue pressing for a clear commitment to addressing Ballymoney’s transport pressures.