Ulster Unionist Roy Beggs Jnr has welcomed news that safety features are to be added to the A8.

Speaking after a meeting with Roads Service and PSNI Traffic personnel he said: "I have had a series of meetings and correspondence with police and Roads Service management about roads safety between Redlands and Larne town centre in recent months. I am pleased that the PSNI and Roads Service have recognised the road safety issues related to the A8/Circular Road junction and the dangers to pedestrians who are walking on the Harbour Highway where there is no footpath.

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"They have now indicated that in order to lessen the likelihood of an accident they are installing bollards and hatching at the top of the ramp road where drivers go left to the harbour to create a separation between pedestrians and motorists. In September they will also be renewing the other road markings and signs at the junction."

He continued: "I welcome this as a short term improvement which will at least provide some separation and therefore added safety for pedestrians walking to and from Redlands on the Harbour Highway. In the longer term, however what is needed is a safe and separate pedestrian walkway and bicycle track running alongside the lagoon from the train station to the new cinema.

"With the evening bus shuttle service to the cinema due to end, even more people will be potentially using the main Harbour Highway to get to the developments at Redlands. I understand that a project team working as part of the Town Centre Masterplan team are finalising a concept plan for the regeneration of the entire Lagoon area, and the building of a walkway will feature prominently in the plan."

(GK/BMcC)