By Conor Sharkey

ROADS Service has announced they are to look into easing congestion on what has become one of Strabane's worst traffic bottlenecks.

The short stretch of road close to the junction of Strabane Bridge and Melvin Park has become a major problem as the volume of traffic has steadily increased.

Parking outside a number of local businesses regularly cuts the road down to just one lane, causing tail backs.

Following a series of complaints from irate motorists, the Strabane Chronicle contacted Roads Service about the growing problem.

They said they appreciated that it is a busy road and vowed to investigate if any new measures can be introduced to help traffic flow along Bridge Street.

The news coincided with a meeting between Roads Service and Strabane District Council yesterday, when councillors aired there concerns over a number of other junctions and bottlenecks across Strabane.

On Tuesday, Councillor Eugene McMenamin said he too had been inundated with complaints about Bridge Street, adding that he intended to raise at yesterday's meeting.

"I have received numerous complaints about that stretch of road, particularly at about 5pm when people are making their way home.

"I appreciate there are businesses there and they have to make a living, so I think Roads Service should try and accommodate everyone, either by widening the road or improved parking.

"They need to have a serious look at it although I believe motorists need to adopt a more responsible attitude to parking in and around the town too," he said.