Progress On £2.5million Investment In Larne

Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy has welcomed Roads Service’s progress on investment totalling £2.5million in the Larne Borough Council area this year.

Speaking ahead of this evening’s meeting between Roads Service and Larne Borough Council, the Minister said: "In August this year, I announced the preferred route for the completion to dual carriageway standard of the remaining section of the A8 between Belfast and Larne. This important scheme will assist in promoting the economic growth of the area including the Port of Larne. Procurement of a contractor to give early advice in the scheme development is well advanced, with the publication of draft Orders for the scheme expected in mid-2011.

"To date over 4.8km of carriageway has been resurfaced in the Larne area this year at a cost of £700,000 which included 1.2km of resurfacing on the A8 Larne Road, 1.5km on the B100 Ballyrickard Road and 500m on the A2 Harbour Road, Carnlough.

"Also completed this year is a £26,000 scheme at the B90 Bridgend Road/UR67 Forthill Road junction, which involved increasing the junction radius and improving the visibility to the right for vehicles emerging from Forthill Road onto Bridgend Road.

"A number of traffic calming measures and safety related schemes are planned on streets within the Larne Council area. These measures include an additional pelican crossing on the Old Glenarm Road in the vicinity of the steps to Sallagh Park and collision remedial measures at a bend just north of Glynn village on the A2 Main Road."

Roads Service Principal Engineer, Terry Fulton said: "Other works that are planned this financial year include junction visibility proposals at the junctions of theUR130 Grace Avenue with the A2 Coast Road and the C73 Browndod Road with the U52 Uppertown Road.

"The financial position for the next two years will depend on decisions made by the Executive. However Roads Service is still planning improvement schemes and welcomes comments from Council on its programmes," added Mr Fulton.

Notes to editors

1. All media queries to Emma Flynn Davies, Department for Regional Development Press Office, 028 9054 0372. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.