Raft of safety measures urgently required on dangerous stretch of the A2 near Whitehead

I NOTICED recently, while driving from Belfast to Whitehead on the Causeway Coastal Route, a Roads Service sign error that could easily result in a fatal incident.

On the approach to and from Whitehead lies an elevated limestone cliff coastal road with a sharp bend on the A2 Belfast Road/Larne Road.

At the moment it is clear that there are national speed limit signs on approaching this two-way sharp, blind, cliff-edge bend.

This is the main road to and from Whitehead attractions, and is used daily by locals from Whitehead and neighbouring towns to go to Carrickfergus and Belfast.

This road is used heavily in the tourist season by coaches, city dwellers, newly qualified R-drivers, farm machinery and HGV lorries. They may be unaware of the danger and not used to coastal driving conditions.

There are inadequate road safety signs, for example, low gear and low speed. Only a small section of the road has a low guard rail, situated right at the cliff drop edge and not closer to the kerbside.

There is no pedestrian safety rail for walkers, or a cycle path (cyclists regularly cycle around this bend).

There are no night-time fog lights on the cliff-top road bend to alert drivers, increase visibility and enforce speed limits. The distraction of the flashing light of Blackhead Lighthouse in the background is not reduced by lack of lights.

A risk assessment needs to be put in place and new, safer road measures introduced — eg lower speed limit, pedestrian guard rail, raised kerbside guard rail, road reflectors and cat’s eyes, an anti-skid road surface and coloured road asphalt speed signs on approach.

Implementing safety measures on the A2 will not affect the beautiful attraction of the coast. If anything, it will make the journey safer for everyone.