Roads Service reports on schemes in North Down area

Transport Minister Conor Murphy welcomed the successful completion of Roads Service's 2009/2010 £3.9M programme of works in the North Down Borough area.

Speaking ahead of this evening's meeting between Roads Service and North Down Borough Council, the Minister said: "A range of local schemes has been delivered successfully by Roads Service in the past year.  While the tightening public expenditure environment in the year ahead will be challenging, Roads Service remains committed to ensure it can make best use of our resources and continue to deliver quality public services.

"Throughout 2009/10 additional Road Safety improvements have been delivered in the Borough. The completed schemes:  include street lighting at Sherwood Road/Park/Drive, Ashley Park/Drive/Gardens, Ballyholme Esplanade and Rushfield, Helens Bay; pelican crossing upgrades at Castle Park Road, Clandeboye Road/Church Street and Newtownards Road; and safer routes to schools at Bangor Central Primary and St Columbanus College.

Commenting on work proposed for the current financial year, the Minister welcomed the £1.8M for road maintenance in the North Down area. "Schemes currently “on site” include collision remedial works at Balloo Road/Bloomfield Road South and safer routes to school programmes at Ballymagee and Rathmore Primaries. Looking forward, new street lighting schemes are planned for Sinclair Road, Henderson Road/Avenue/Drive and Princess Gardens, Holywood.   In addition, carriageway resurfacing is programmed for Ballyholme Road, Seapark Road, Ballymenoch Park, Holywood and the Bangor bound lane of the A2 between Ballyrobert Road and Ballysallagh Road."

Speaking at the meeting, Colin Brown, Principal Engineer, welcomed the continued investment in road maintenance, which is helping to rectify the damage caused by the severe conditions last winter.  "Road maintenance  remains a priority with completed schemes that include: a carriageway and footway resurfacing at Robinson Road, Killeen Avenue and Abbey Park; and drainage works at Clifton Road, Princetown Road, Whinney Hill, Holywood and Bridge Road, Helens Bay.  

Roads Service also presented the Council with a programme for local transport and safety measures, which is currently being developed for the area. These projects, which include traffic calming at Abbey Ring and a pedestrian crossing upgrade at High Street/Prospect Road, will be delivered as resources permit.

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