Sandyknowes chaos shows Department's failure - Ford

9.00.00pm GMT Thu 13th Mar 2008

Alliance South Antrim MLA David Ford has said that tonight's traffic chaos in the Sandyknowes area shows that the Road Service has failed to deal with the problems caused by the closure of the Hightown bridge.

The South Antrim MLA said: "At rush hour this evening there was complete chaos in the Sandyknowes area following a simple traffic accident just off the roundabout. This chaos affected all of Glengormley and Mallusk as well as traffic leaving Belfast on the M2.

"This disruption showed the complete inadequacy of the so called special arrangements put in place to deal with the closure of the Hightown bridge.

"Local residents, local workers and commuters on the motorway should not have to put up with this disruption. The Road Service and the Minister were well warned of what was likely to happen. The Minister must look again to make life bearable."