Speeding on Mullinure Lane in Armagh has become a pressing concern for residents, but the solution might not be as straightforward as installing a speed monitor. While the road serves as a convenient shortcut to bypass city-center traffic and connects the growing Deanery Demesne housing development to the bustling St. Luke’s Hospital, it’s also a hotspot for reckless driving in a densely populated area. And this is the part most people miss: the responsibility for addressing speeding here doesn’t lie solely with the Department for Infrastructure, but rather with the community police—a detail that has left many residents feeling uncertain about how to tackle the issue effectively.
In a recent inquiry, SDLP MLA Justin McNulty raised the possibility of implementing traffic calming measures, specifically suggesting the installation of a speed monitor. However, Infrastructure Minister Kimmins clarified that while road safety is a top priority for her department, the ball is in the PSNI’s court when it comes to enforcing speed limits. She encouraged residents to report speeding concerns directly to the PSNI via their non-emergency 101 number, emphasizing that this is the most direct way to address driver behavior.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Minister Kimmins also pointed out that the provision of speed indicator devices (SIDs) falls under the responsibility of the Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP), not her department. This means that if residents want a speed monitor installed, they’ll need to advocate for it through their local Council—a process that could be time-consuming and may not guarantee results. Is this a fair division of responsibility, or does it leave communities like Mullinure Lane in a bureaucratic limbo?
For now, the fate of speeding on Mullinure Lane rests in the hands of local efforts and community policing initiatives. While the Minister’s response highlights the importance of collaboration, it also raises questions about whether enough is being done to proactively address road safety in high-risk areas. What do you think? Should more be done at the departmental level, or is this an issue best left to local authorities and community action? Let us know in the comments below.
