Roads Service to Invest £6.8Million in Craigavon

Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy announced a £6.8million investment for the Craigavon area this year.

Speaking ahead of today’s meeting between Roads Service and Craigavon Borough Council, the Minister said: “Schemes which will be taken forward in the Craigavon Borough Council area this year include a major collision remedial scheme on the A3 Belfast Road, Dollingstown, at the junction with Cottage Road and Inn Road. Work is progressing well and it is envisaged that this scheme will be completed by late summer.”

Mr Murphy welcomed the road maintenance schemes progressed in the Craigavon 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 Network Maintenance Manager Arnold Hamilton welcomed the planned investment in local transport and safety measures in the Craigavon Borough Council area, which includes traffic calming, collision remedial, pedestrian measures, cycling measures and safer routes to 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 Hamilton highlighted some of the schemes already completed in 2008/09. These included providing a right turning lane over a busy 1.1km stretch of the B2 Carn Road, at Carn Industrial Estate, Craigavon.

Other work included providing a footway and localised carriageway widening on the B2 Derrymacash Road junction with the Ballynery North Road. In addition to these schemes, an extensive resurfacing programme has also been completed.

Notes to Editors:

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