Roads Service to Invest £5.2Million In Ards

Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy announced a £5.2million investment for the Ards area this year.

Speaking ahead of tonight’s meeting between Roads Service and Ards Borough Council, the Minister said: “Construction work on the A20 Southern Distributor is progressing well and it is envisaged it will open mid summer 2009.”

Mr Murphy welcomed the road maintenance schemes progressed in the Ards 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 Development Manager Reynold Nicholson welcomed the planned investment in local transport and safety measures in the Ards Borough Council area, which includes traffic calming, collision remedial, pedestrian measures, cycling measures and safer routes to schools.

Other schemes which will be taken forward in the Ards Borough Council area this year include improvements at the A20 Rowreagh/Gransha Road junction, Kircubbin and the Moss Road/Ballykeigle Road junction, Ballygowan. Both these schemes will improve visibility and awareness for road users.

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 Nicholson highlighted some of the schemes already completed in 2008/09. These included the provision of enhanced forward visibility and realignment over approximately 1km on the Bowtown Road, Newtownards; and provision of better forward visibility and sightlines for emerging vehicles on the Abbey Road/Woburn Road junction, Carrodore. 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, 02890 540007.