Roads service to invest £3million in North Down

Regional Development Minister, Conor Murphy, announced investment totalling £3million is planned for the North Down Borough Council this year.

Speaking ahead of tonight’s meeting between Roads Service and North Down Borough Council, the Minister said: “Road safety continues to be given a high priority during 2007. This is illustrated by our completion of the £2million Six Road Ends improvement scheme in May 2007.

“Other schemes to be taken forward in the North Down Borough include replacement of 570metres of safety fencing along the Bangor-bound carriageway of the A2, a range of traffic calming measures along Clandeboye Road and enhanced pedestrian facilities at Gransha Road, Donaghadee Road, Newtownards Road and Ballyree Drive.”

Mr Murphy welcomed the continued high level of investment in local transport and safety measures in the North Down Borough which include traffic calming, collision remedial, pedestrian measures, cycling measures and Safer Routes to Schools.

At the meeting Road Service’s Deputy Divisional Roads Manager, Kevin Monaghan said: "Roads Service faces some very significant challenges over the next few years as it gears up to deliver a demanding programme of Strategic Road Improvements.

“The Strategic Road Improvement Programme envisages an investment of £1.4billion in the period up to 2015. Around £1billion of these schemes has already been identified and a consultation on a further £400million of schemes was completed at the end of 2006. In addition, the National Development Plan 2007-2013, contains proposals on the inter-urban routes linking the main population centres of Dublin, Belfast and the north west.

“It is also proposed that the Review of Public Administration will see responsibility for the maintenance and development of local roads, approximately 23,700km of the total 25,000km of public roads, transfer to the seven new Councils in May 2009. It is, however, noted that the Assembly has decided to review that decision.

Despite these challenges, Roads Service will continue to concentrate on scheme delivery in North Down Borough. We will minimise the disruption that will arise from our works and we will give motorists advance warning of roadworks through signage and information prior to works. There will also be updated information on our website and radio traffic reports.’’

Mr Monaghan also took the opportunity to highlight some of the schemes completed in 2006/07. These included the upgrade of 200metres of safety fencing on the slips to the A2 at the Holywood Exchange, completion of a traffic calming scheme on Cranley Road, and resurfacing schemes at Holywood Bypass, Whinney Hill, and Farnham Road, Bangor.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Media queries to: Emma Flynn Davies or Michaela Smyth, Press Office, Department for Regional Development, Tel 028 9054 0887.