Local representatives in south Down have welcomed the commencement of a roads realignment scheme on the outskirts of Downpatrick.

Heavy machinery has moved on-site to redistribute hundreds of tonnes of earth.

This, it is hoped, will improve sight lines at the Slievegrane Road junction and the main Ballyhornan Road - a notorious accident blackspot.

The £350,000 scheme has been welcomed by road safety campaigners, among them district councillor Peter Craig, who described the work as "important".

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"I have been talking about this scheme for a long time and while there were some issues to be resolved, which local roads officials had no control over, I'm delighted work on the scheme has started at last," he said.

Increased traffic in the area has made this scheme "vital", according to Mr Craig.

"I have no doubt the many motorists who use both the Ballyhornan and Slievegrane roads will be pleased work on the scheme has started.

"There have been countless accidents in the area and I am confident the provision of improved sight line will reduce this number significantly and result in the removal of a notorious accident blackspot," added the councillor.

(PR/JM)