West Tyrone Sinn Fein Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Cllr has been lobbying for action on Drumlegagh Road School bus crash route

Published: 2 February, 2010

The Chair of Strabane District Council, Sinn Féin Councillor Kieran Mc Guire has revealed that he has been lobbying to have the Drumlegagh Road , the scene of yesterday's school bus crash, gritted for some considerable time.

He said,

"There is shock but yet massive relief in the local community following yesterday's crash at Drumlegagh Road South when sixty children escaped unscathed when their school bus swerved and crashed into a field on the other side of the road. It was just through sheer luck that we did not have a major tragedy on our hands yesterday. That said, it was a traumatic ordeal for all the children involved and I wish them all, and the driver who suffered shock, a speedy recovery. Shortly before the school bus left the road, a car with two people on board also crashed into a field on the other side of the road.

"This illustrates the treacherous nature of this road during icy conditions and reinforces the need for this road to gritted. . I have been lobbying Roads Service for Drumlegagh Road to be included on the winter gritting schedule.

I have also been lobbying the WELB in relation to issues of concern about the Drumlegagh bus route during icy conditions. Often bus drivers have refused to travel the untreated road leaving pupils unable to get to school. Some children have even missed exams as a result. I have therefore been asking the WELB to make representations to Roads Service on the issue.

I hope that this gritting issue will be now rectified as a matter of urgency.

"Also yesterday morning, school bus routes on the gritting schedule in the Aghyaran area were left untreated and local parents have expressed major concern about the very dangerous conditions that this created. I have now received assurances from Roads Service that they will attempt to make sure this does not happen again.

His party collegue Cllr Frankie Donelly added:

"There is a clear need for this road to be gritted. It is used extensively every day for residents going to and coming from work as well as school children using the road routinely.

"I hope that lessons can be learned and a common sense approach is taken to include this road in the gritting schedule. With this said it is important to point out and commend Roads Service for gritting the road in the aftermath of the accident. Translink also must be commended for their speedy response to the accident and ensuring the schoolchildren got home safely following the accident. I hope however that in light of this Roads Service will review their decision not to include this road on the gritting schedule and include this road on future occasions.

ENDS

For further info contact Cllr Kieran Mc Guire on 07870437910