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'Safety risks' on upgraded road 'Safety risks' on upgraded road
(10 minutes later)
A section of the newly-upgraded Belfast-Dublin road in County Down may pose safety risks, according to a road expert from the Automobile Association. The six mile Beechhill dual carriageway was built at a cost of £25m. A section of the newly-upgraded Belfast-Dublin road in County Down may pose safety risks, according to a road expert from the Automobile Association.
The six mile Beechhill dual carriageway was built at a cost of £25m.
However, its 'gap junctions' - where traffic from side roads joins the flow of traffic - have been described as a dated design "asking for accidents".However, its 'gap junctions' - where traffic from side roads joins the flow of traffic - have been described as a dated design "asking for accidents".
The Roads Service said the new road exceeded required standards for all-purpose dual-carriageways.The Roads Service said the new road exceeded required standards for all-purpose dual-carriageways.
However, Andrew Howard of the AA said the section had hazardous gaps in the central reservation.However, Andrew Howard of the AA said the section had hazardous gaps in the central reservation.
He said the idea of allowing right-hand turns across dual-carriageways "belongs to the 1960s and 70s".He said the idea of allowing right-hand turns across dual-carriageways "belongs to the 1960s and 70s".
It means traffic having to cross two lanes of oncoming traffic.It means traffic having to cross two lanes of oncoming traffic.
"Junction accidents are a major killer on this type of road, and this sort of dated design is asking for such accidents," said Mr Howard."Junction accidents are a major killer on this type of road, and this sort of dated design is asking for such accidents," said Mr Howard.
He added: "The flyover junctions cost a lot more, but they are a worthwhile investment when you are looking at a £1.3m cost benefit for a road death."He added: "The flyover junctions cost a lot more, but they are a worthwhile investment when you are looking at a £1.3m cost benefit for a road death."
Several people have been killed on the A1 in recent years while crossing from gap junctions.Several people have been killed on the A1 in recent years while crossing from gap junctions.
Much of the dual-carriageway is bordered by farmland and large agricultural vehicles are forced to sit in the junctions waiting for traffic to clear.Much of the dual-carriageway is bordered by farmland and large agricultural vehicles are forced to sit in the junctions waiting for traffic to clear.