Roads Service to Invest £2.5Million in Larne

Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy announced a £2.5million investment for the Larne area this year.

Speaking ahead of this evening’s meeting between Roads Service and Larne Borough Council, the Minister said: “The proposal to improve the junction visibility splays and junction radii at the Bridgend Road/Forthill Road, Ballycarry is nearing completion.

“It is also proposed to improve the junction visibility splays of the Browndod Road/Uppertown Road this financial year.”

In addition to the schemes that will be delivered in 2009/10, the Minister also made reference to the development work that was being undertaken on strategic road improvement schemes in the Larne area.

He said: “I particularly welcomed the announcement last November of the preferred corridors for the proposal to dual the A8 Belfast to Larne Road and would hope to announce a preferred route for the scheme in the next few months.”

Mr Murphy welcomed the road maintenance schemes progressed in the Larne area last year. He said this year's increased allocation for structural maintenance would allow a larger number of resurfacing schemes to proceed on local roads this financial year.

Road Service’s Divisional Roads Manager, Jim Beattie, welcomed the planned investment in local transport and safety measures in the Larne area, which includes traffic calming, collision remedial, pedestrian measures, cycling measures and safer routes to schools.

He said: "Schemes which will be taken forward in the Larne area this year include: a proposal to provide a further pelican crossing on the Old Glenarm Road, Larne in the vicinity of the steps to Sallagh Park; collision remedial measures on the A2 Main Road, Glynn; traffic calming measures in the village of Glynn, and warning signage with integrated flashing lights are proposed for Mullaghdubh Primary School at Ballystrudder as part of an initiative aimed at enhancing traffic and speed management outside schools.”

Roads Service has also been in consultation with local government representatives on matters arising from the Review of Public Administration. These included the details of functions to be transferred to local government in 2011 and the arrangements to allow the new councils to influence roads programmes.

Mr Beattie also highlighted some of the schemes that were completed in 2008/09. He said: "These include a junction visibility splay improvement at Gobbins Road/Mullaghboy Road, Islandmagee; traffic calming measures in the Seacliff Estate, Larne; a pelican crossing installed on the Old Glenarm Road; collision remedial measures introduced at the junction of the Lunnon Road/Brown’s Bay Road, Islandmagee, and Speed Management at Schools measures introduced at Corran Integrated Primary School and Ballyboley Primary School.”

Notes to Editors:

Media queries to: Anne Burke, Department for Regional Development, Press Office, 028 9054 0007.