Safety fears after drivers travel wrong way along Ballymena one-way street

Glenshesk Drive, Ballymena

North Antrim MLA Paul Frew has urged motorists to obey the one-way system on Glenshesk Drive in Ballymena after receiving several complaints from residents about vehicles travelling in the wrong direction.

The DUP representative said the incidents were particularly concerning because children regularly play near the road, including on an adjacent grass area.

Residents report recent incidents

Glenshesk Drive has operated as a one-way street for a number of years. However, Mr Frew suggested that recent changes to the surrounding road network may be causing confusion among some drivers.

He said:

“I have recently received a number of complaints from local residents regarding people driving the wrong way down the one-way system along Glenshesk Drive in Ballymena.

“This particular stretch of road has been a one-way system for years; it may be the case that there is confusion given the new road network at St Patrick’s Link and being able to gain access to Ballymena town centre that route.”

Children regularly play nearby

Mr Frew stressed that Glenshesk Drive is within an established residential community and appealed to everyone using the route to pay close attention to the one-way signs.

He continued:

“This is a very settled community and area of Ballymena with children often playing along the street in the adjacent grass area.

“I would appeal to everyone to take care on the roads and to adhere to one-way signage.”

The MLA said he hoped the incidents were the result of genuine mistakes rather than deliberate behaviour, but described their emergence within a short period as “extremely worrying”.

Referring to a recent tragedy in the Republic of Ireland, Mr Frew added:

“I also hope given the tragedy at the weekend in the Republic of Ireland that this is nothing other than confusion and genuine mistakes, but it is extremely worrying that these incidents are only taking place now over a short period of time.”

Motorists approaching Glenshesk Drive are being asked to check the road signs carefully and follow the permitted direction of travel.

With homes and an area where children play close to the road, even an unintended mistake could place residents and other road users at risk.