Roads Service to invest £2 m in Carrickfergus

Regional Development Minister, Conor Murphy, announced investment totalling £2 million is planned for the Carrickfergus Borough this year.

Speaking ahead of tonight’s meeting between Roads Service and Carrickfergus Borough Council, the Minister said: “In March Roads Service published the statutory processes associated with the plan to relieve traffic congestion along the A2 route at Shore Road, Greenisland. The scheme proposes widening of the existing two lane road to provide two lanes in each direction. Ultimately this will provide a continuous four lane road between Carrickfergus and the M5 at Whiteabbey.

“Other schemes which will be taken forward in the Carrickfergus Borough include the Safer Route to Schools programme to include Carrickfergus Grammar/College at North Road and provision of a right turn pocket in conjunction with a one way system in Irish Quarter South.”

Mr Murphy welcomed the continued high level of investment in local transport and safety measures in the Carrickfergus Borough which includes traffic calming, pedestrian measures, and cycling measures.

Road Service’s Divisional Roads Manager, Tom McCourt 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 while planning to restructure in line with the outcome of the Review of Public Administration.

“The Strategic Road Improvement Programme envisages an investment of £1.4 billion in the period up to 2015. Around £1 billion of these schemes has already been identified and a consultation on a further £400 million of schemes was completed at the end of 2006. In addition, the Republic of Ireland 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.

“Despite these challenges, Roads Service will continue to concentrate on scheme delivery in Carrickfergus 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,’’ he said.

Mr McCourt also took the opportunity to highlight some of the schemes completed in 2006/07. These included the demolition and reconstruction of the Barnhalt road bridge; provision of right turn pockets from Middle Road into Prospect Road and from Prince Andrew Way into Greenwood Park; and phased roll out of a cycle route to include Taylor’s Avenue.

Notes to Editors:

Media queries to : Emma Flynn Davies, Press Office, Department for Regional Development, Tel 028 9054 0007.