A26 road signs to be moved after safety concerns raised by Cllr Alan Barr over blocked sight lines

Inset: UUP councillor for Braid, Alan Barr, and the busy junction impacted by new signage on the A26 Lisnevenagh Road.

Motorists using a busy stretch of the A26 near Ballymena should soon see potentially hazardous road signs relocated after concerns were raised that they were obstructing drivers’ visibility at a junction on a carriageway with a history of serious collisions.

The issue centred on newly installed Department for Infrastructure (DfI) signs at the Valley Road and Lisnevenagh Road junction, where drivers reported that the positioning of the signs was blocking sight lines for vehicles joining and crossing the carriageway.

Concerns raised by local motorists

The busy junction impacted by new signage on the A26 Lisnevenagh Road.

Ulster Unionist Braid councillor Alan Barr said he was first contacted by a local farmer on 14 July, who believed the new signage was creating a road safety risk.

After visiting the location, Cllr Barr photographed the signs and contacted the Department for Infrastructure the same evening.

A second constituent contacted him on 17 July with similar concerns, prompting him to submit additional photographs to reinforce what he described as the seriousness of the issue.

DfI agrees to take action

Following discussions with the department earlier this week, Cllr Barr said he and a constituent named Samantha received confirmation that action will now be taken.

He said the department had confirmed the signs would either be repositioned to a safer location or removed altogether if necessary.

Cllr Barr said:

“Over the past week I’ve been dealing with the road safety hazard caused by the new road signs at the Valley Road and Lisnevenagh Road junction on the very busy A26. These signs were blocking motorists’ visibility at both ends.

“A farmer raised this with me on 14 July and I took photos and contacted DfI that night. Another constituent came forward on 17 July and I sent further images to underline the seriousness of the problem.

“After speaking with DfI on Monday, Samantha and I received confirmation yesterday that the signs will be moved to a safe position — or removed entirely if that’s what’s required.

“There is more than enough carnage on our roads already. We don’t need poorly placed signage adding to the danger.”

Safety remains a key concern

The A26 is one of Northern Ireland’s busiest strategic roads and has been the scene of numerous serious and fatal collisions over the years.

If the changes are carried out as planned, motorists using the Valley Road and Lisnevenagh Road junction should benefit from improved visibility, reducing concerns that the newly installed signs could contribute to an already challenging stretch of road.