To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail any measures considered by her Department to ease congestion, caused by those turning right from the Hillhall Road onto Largymore Link, during peak times.

I can advise that officials have previously considered the removal of the right turn at this junction following similar requests, however the consequential impact of this action may result in increased traffic volumes using Cromwell’s Highway to travel to the Saintfield Road roundabout.

Cromwell’s Highway has been the subject of complaints from residents about through traffic and speeding and the removal of the right turn at the Hillhall Road may further encourage rat running to avoid the congestion between Sloan Street and the M1 Saintfield Road roundabout.

Whilst the Hillhall Road carries significant volumes of traffic and the right turning manoeuvre into Largymore Link can cause some delays at peak times, the overall journey time between Largymore Link and Milltown Road is unlikely to be greatly affected by any queuing at this junction as a result of the provision of the right turn facility.

Officials will continue to keep this location under review.