ROCK blasting work on the new dual carriageway at Cloghogue has been suspended after shrapnel from a blast landed outside the exclusion zone and within feet of residents’ homes.
A vehicle belonging to a council official that was monitoring the blasting operation was damaged by falling shrapnel following the blast on Wednesday.
Roads Service, which has hired a private contractor to carry out the works as part of the A1 Beechill to Cloghogue dual carriageway scheme, has launched an immediate investigation into the incident and halted blasting until remedial action is agreed and implemented.
A spokesperson said: “Roads Service is aware of concerns in the community around Cloghogue about the continuing rock blasting operation. “These concerns are understandably heightened by the incident that occurred on Wednesday afternoon when a car parked outside the exclusion zone was struck by a rock fragment cast into the air by the blast.
“Following the incident Roads Service will not permit blasting operations to resume until the required remedial action is agreed and implemented and both the Department and the Relevant Authorities are satisfied that it is safe to continue and that such an incident will not reoccur.”
The spokesperson said the Health and Safety Executive(HSENI) has visited the site and will be reporting to the contractors.
Sinn Fein councillor Pat McGinn, chairperson of Newry and Mourne Council A1 Road Liaison Committee, contacted the contractors, Roads Service and the council’s Environmental Health Department requesting an “immediate and rigorous investigation”.
He said it is essential that residents receive assurances that such an incident will not happen again.
“Whilst it has been recognised by all the importance of this major road project and the completion of it is eagerly awaited, we cannot underestimate the concerns of local residents,” he said.
He called for a commitment from the contractors that all homes will be independently and professionally examined.
SDLP MLA Dominic Bradley said:“This is a very dangerous situation and had there been anyone outside at the particular time it could have lead to serious injuries.
'I will be raising this incident with Roads Service and with the contractor, seeking assurances that steps are taken to ensure that public safety is not put at risk again in this way during blasting.”
A DRD spokesperson said while there was no definite date due to the current suspension, a further eight rock blasts are required before work is completed.