His decision comes after Roads Service published separate Statutory Orders and Environmental Statements for the Randalstown to Toome part of the scheme and for the Toome to Castledawson part of the scheme.
Mr Murphy said: “Following a comprehensive analysis of the proposal, Roads Service published separate draft Statutory Orders and Environmental Statements for the Randalstown to Toome part of the scheme and for the Toome to Castledawson part of the scheme. The response to the publication of these indicated considerable interest and concerns from members of the public and other interested parties. In order that these may be fully taken into account I have decided that separate public inquiries should be held for each part of the scheme. The public inquiries will give Roads Service and the objectors an opportunity to have their views considered.”
Notices published in the press in March 2007 indicated that the following had been prepared for each part of the scheme:
- An Environmental Statement (ES) which considered the environmental impact of the proposal and setting out mitigation measures;
- A Draft Direction Order, which described proposed changes to the trunk road network; and
- A Notice of Intention to Make a Vesting Order, which described the area of land to be acquired for the proposed scheme.
The notices specified how comments on the ES and/or objections to the proposed Orders could be made and the manner in which these were to be made.
The public inquiries will be held in November 2007. Arrangements are now being made and formal notification with details of these inquiries will be published in due course.
Notes to Editors:
- The Regional Development Strategy (RDS) guides the development of the north over the next 25 years.
- The Regional Transportation Strategy (RTS), supports the RDS by aligning transport planning with progress towards achievement of its transportation vision for the north.
- The Regional Strategic Transport Network Transport Plan 2015 (RSTN TP) includes a proposal for a dual carriageway from the western end of the M22 motorway at Randalstown to the Castledawson Roundabout.
- Media queries to: Emma Flynn-Davies, Department for Regional Development, Press Office, Tel 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.
