The roundabout that is statistically “the most dangerous in Northern Ireland” is set to get long-awaited safety measures, following approval by the local council.

The Caw roundabout in Derry, says Irish News, has consistently ranked amongst the worst accident blackspots in Northern Ireland and a new large-scale housing development nearby had prompted fears that the number of collisions could increase further.

While the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s annual road collision statistics provide a breakdown of crashes by district, more highly detailed data using grid co-ordinates to record locations is available at the government-backed Open Data NI website. An Irish News analysis of that data shows that there have been at least 126 collisions recorded in or around the busy roundabout during the last five years.

And a PSNI report in 2022 also showed the Caw Roundabout, which connects links three main roads to the Foyle Bridge, had the highest incident rate for collisions in Northern Ireland.

A plan to redesign the busy junction with traffic signals, paid for by the developer of the nearby Rosses Gate housing scheme, has been in the works for years. The proposal has now been granted approvals from both Stormont and Derry City and Strabane council.

Work is set to begin in the coming weeks and should be completed by November this year.

SDLP MLA Mark Durkan, who has campaigned for safety measures at the roundabout for several years, said: “It’s absolutely brilliant news that traffic signals, major safety improvements that have been required for so long, have finally got the green light.”

Responding to a query earlier this year from Mr Durkan, the Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said:

“The upgrade and signalisation of Caw Roundabout is a transport mitigation measure arising out of the adjacent H30 Rosses Gate residential development. As a developer led scheme, Southbank Square is responsible for design and construction of the works.”

(Picture: Mapillary)