'If the upgrades had happened, Karl would still be alive today'
Monica Heaney hopes to push through upgrades to the A1
A Newry mother who lost her son on the A1 in 2018 is reiterating calls for the road to be upgraded as a matter of urgency.
Monica Heaney handed in a petition comprised of almost 13,000 signatures to the Department for Infrastructure last week, with hopes that work to help cut down on the number of deaths on the road can begin as quickly as possible when the Stormont Executive reconvenes.
Karl Heaney was 27 at the time of his death in 2018, when he was hit by a driver travelling in the wrong direction on the road between Banbridge and Dromore.
“The petition was started shortly after Karl passed away. We realised that if the road had been upgraded then Karl would be alive," feels Monica.
“We handed it to the Department for Infrastructure because we wanted them to realise the amount of support it has. It’s been five and a half years since Karl died and the upgrades haven’t started.
“Construction could happen now, that’s where we’re at. But it’s basically the lack of funding that’s holding it up," she added.
“When the Executive collapsed, a budget was set but didn’t go through, so the budget handed for Dfi was minimal by comparison.
"The Secretary of State is holding money that he could release. He could release it today, but that won’t happen until Stormont is back up and running
“I don’t think there is any political objection to it. But we need everyone on board to make it happen."
Soon after Karl's death, Monica established the Road Ahead Support Group, which provides assistance for those who have been in accidents on the road and families who have lost loved ones.
The A1 has claimed the lives of 41 people in the last 17 years and is notable for the high amount of crossings from Newry to Hillsborough.
Monica says he sole aim is to prevent other families having to go through the trauma of losing someone on the road.
“One life lost is one too many. Human life is the most important thing. For politicians to sit back do nothing about it is frustrating and makes me so angry," she says.
“I did get the sense that they are really desperate to complete this road, but we do need political direction. It was a positive meeting, but you do get the feeling that the Department’s hands are tied at present.
“What I’ve learnt is that you don’t know what is going to happen. You never get your hopes up."
She has called on politicians here to get back into office, enabling funding for the A1 Phase 2 Upgrade project to commence.
“Get back into government," was her response when asked what the message is to political parties.
"But I feel like sometimes that message is falling on deaf ears. Everyone has to come together to get your voice heard.
A Department for Infrastructure spokesperson said: “The delivery of the A1 Junctions Phase 2 scheme is essential to improve and modernise road safety on this very busy route.
“The department is very aware of the history of collisions along the existing road with too many lives lost, and our sincere condolences go out to all those families who have lost a loved one.
“We also sympathise with those who have been injured in all road traffic collisions.
“Phase 2 is identified within the department’s prioritised road projects list as a scheme which will continue to progress towards the next key decision on procurement, which will be informed by the department’s emerging transport plans and the business case approval.
“The project aims to provide further safety improvements along the A1 dual carriageway between Hillsborough and Loughbrickland with these improvements including the provision of four new grade separated junctions, the closing up of all gaps in the central reservation and the provision of a continuous central reserve safety barrier along the whole 25km route, along with other safety improvements.”
The petition calling for upgrades to the A1 can be accessed by the link below
https://www.change.org/p/department-of-infrastructure-completion-of-a1-road-improvements