Fresh concerns have been raised about the safety of a notoriously dangerous stretch of road in Co Down after multiple accidents in recent years.
In the most recent incident on the Portaferry Road in Newtownards, a 58-year-old motorcyclist died following a two vehicle collision on the route last Tuesday.
Lee Noble, 58, was riding a grey Kawasaki motorbike, which was involved in the collision with a car just after midnight. Mr Noble died as a result of his injuries.
READ MORE: Portaferry Road crash: Lee Noble named as man who died in collision
The driver of the red Nissan car was taken to hospital for treatment to minor injuries.
Separately, a man in his 60s was taken to hospital for treatment to serious injuries following a collision on the same road earlier this month.
Michael Palmer is a local resident in Newtownards who uses the Portaferry Road regularly, and has been raising concerns about its safety for many years.
He says that given the number of accidents happening in the area, it's time for the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) to make changes to the road.
Michael told Belfast Live : "I live within walking distance of the flood gates near where many accidents happen on the road and throughout the years, I have seen these accidents happen too many times. So much so, that I have throughout the years written to my MLAs about it and signed petitions appealing for the department to address the safety concerns of the road.
"Sadly despite these accidents happening, no safety improvements to the road are forthcoming. For example, I think reducing the speed limit on the stretch of road between the flood gates and Teal Rocks is a safety improvement that could make a difference, along with widening the path for people to walk on could also make a difference.
"The path has a lot of people walking along it and is very narrow - quite often if two people are passing each other, one needs to walk on the road itself used by cars to overtake the other opposing person walking on a road where cars drive quite quickly.
"Drivers' field of vision is also reduced due to the oncoming cars emerging onto a winding, bending road, where sometimes cars do not maintain strict lane discipline due to their speed and the bending of the road.
"I am aware that DfI has to ensure all roads in Northern Ireland follow set guidance to ensure standardisation across Northern Ireland but surely in exceptional circumstances such as along this stretch of the Portaferry Road where many accidents happen, special measures are needed to address the ongoing safety concerns road users and residents have about the road."
Michael added: "As I live in the area, any time I leave my house in my car, I have to drive very carefully along this road. I do believe the road is dangerous and the amount of accidents that occur on it reflect that. It's imperative that DfI does everything it can to improve the safety of the Portaferry Road. I accept no road can be absolutely safe and care must be taken at all times but I do believe this road is particularly unsafe."
In response, a DfI spokesperson said: “Every single road death is a tragedy and the Department extends its sincere sympathies to the family at this time. All collisions are investigated by the PSNI who will share any relevant findings with the Department and we will work closely with them to assist with their enquiries and take forward any actions that are within the remit of the Department.”
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