A temporary 50mph speed limit placed on the M1 between Dungannon and Tamnamore last month will remain in place until April at least.
The speed measures were introduced on the eastbound carriageway between junctions 14 and 15 in January as part of PSNI and Department for Infrastructure investigations into two separate fatal crashes involving single vehicles.
The restrictions are expected to remain in place until 12 April at least.
READ MORE: PSNI and DfI probing sites of two fatal single vehicle crashes on same section of M1 motorway
Philip Rainey, 21, died following a crash on the M1 eastbound near Stangmore in Dungannon in September while he was on the way to collect his partner and new baby son from hospital.
Imelda Quinn, 40, died on Boxing Day when she is understood to have been travelling to Craigavon hospital where she worked as a nurse. The single-vehicle collision took place between Junction 14 and 15 on the M1 eastbound.
Scene testing has been carried out by police and DfI as a result of the collisions, with assessments currently being carried out in relation to the tests.
A Freedom of Information request from Belfast Live showed that there have been 10 collisions on the same stretch of motorway over the last five years, three of which have resulted in fatalities. The figures do not include any collisions which have been damage only.
At the last full meeting of Mid Ulster District Council, vice chair and DUP councillor Frances Burton had sought an ‘urgent update’ from the Stormont department on the safety of the stretch of motorway.
Cllr Burton said: "I know of people who are advising younger members of their family to go into the fast lane if there are wet conditions and not to be on the inside lane."
Independent Dungannon councillor Barry Monteith said local road users deserve to have more detail as to what the safety investigations relate to.
“Safety investigations are ongoing by the Roads Service, they will have to follow through with those but I think the general public will be keen to hear more information as to what’s being investigated,” Cllr Monteith said.
“It seems to be the case if they are continuing with that speed limit they must have some indication of what may or may not be the problem. I think the wider public, in my opinion, would be entitled to know that.
“I would support any initiative that makes that stretch of road, or any stretch of road, safer. If the speed limit has to continue to ensure the safety of road users then so be it.”
READ MORE: 15 people killed on Co Tyrone roads in 2022
In a statement, the Department for Infrastructure said the speed limit would remain in place until scene test results have been assessed.
“The Department has been working with partner agencies in the investigations of recent collisions along this stretch of the M1,” the spokesperson said.
“This is normal practice following any fatal road traffic collisions. The temporary speed limit was introduced following the recent collisions and a decision on how long it will remain in place will be taken once the results of tests carried out at the scene have been assessed.
“Road users are asked to comply with the temporary speed limit which is enforceable by the PSNI.”
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