New link road is key to Larne West bus service

At the latest meeting of the public services committee, Councillor Gregg McKeen proposed that the local authority set up a meeting with Translink, Roads Service and local developers to determine whether the link roads can be opened between Walnut Hollow and Lindara.

He said: “There are many residents who are affected by a lack of bus services in that area, and we as a council could take the lead in trying to come up with a solution.”

Fellow DUP Councillor Winston Fulton seconded his colleague’s motion and said: “Walnut Hollow is a very large, spread out area and it is a long walk to the bus stop in places. Residents are in need of an improved bus service, as many of them are elderly.”

Alderman Jack McKee also lent his support to the proposal and said something needed to be done to address the problem.

“The traffic build up in that area can be frustrating,” he said. “Also, young mothers with prams are being forced to walk long distances because Ulsterbus can’t go down there. The developers have an obligation to lift the stanglehold from the area, and this motion puts the spotlight on the issue.”

Alderman Danny O’Connor described the morning traffic build up on the Linn Road as “chaos” and said it was “putting people’s lives at risk”.

Larne mayor Andy Wilson said he welcomed the motion and hoped that it would “push things forward.” He added: “I support the initiative as we need to see some progress on this issue.

“The developers have been asked to attend a meeting on this subject before, but some of them didn’t turn up. That entire area is being clogged up with traffic and the situation needs to be addressed.”