Good progress on £12million investment in Derry

Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy has welcomed Roads Service’s progress on investment totalling £12million in Derry City Council area this year.

Speaking ahead of tonight’s meeting between Roads Service and Derry City Council, the Minister said: “The preferred corridor of the proposed dualling of the A6 between Dungiven and Derry, (which includes a bypass of Dungiven), has been chosen and was presented to the public at various Community Information events in September. Civil Engineering Consultants have now been appointed to examine potential road alignments within this corridor. Roads Service would hope to announce a ‘preferred route’ for the proposed dualling in spring 2009.

“A public inquiry was held in March regarding the proposed dualling of the A2 between Maydown and City of Derry Airport. My Department has received the Inspector’s report and is giving it consideration before announcing the way ahead for the scheme.

“Two other major schemes are now well under construction in the Derry City area:

The £4.5m Skeoge Link, which commenced in April, is progressing well and is due for completion in early spring 2008. When constructed it will complete the strategic route from Foyle Bridge through to Buncrana Road and on to Donegal, removing through traffic from Glengalliagh Road; and

The £1.6m Crescent Link dualling, which commenced in April, is expected to be completed by the end of November. This is the third and final phase of the dualling of the Crescent Link and, when completed, will provide a continuous dual carriageway from Altnagelvin Roundabout, across the Foyle Bridge to the Culmore Roundabout. ”

The Minister added: “Other schemes which have already been completed in the Derry City area this financial year include 1.4km of resurfacing on the A6 Glenshane Road, Drumahoe at a cost of £460,000 and various traffic management measures in the city such as a new pelican crossing on Rock Road at the University and an extension to the existing Masonic Car Park at the top of Bishop Street to provide an additional 58 parking spaces.”

At the meeting Road Service’s Divisional Roads Manager, Jim Beattie welcomed the continued high level of investment in local transport and safety measures in the Derry City Council area. These include traffic calming schemes, measures to assist cyclists and pedestrians and a programme of school travel and safety projects.

Mr Beattie said: "Roads Service faces some very significant challenges over the next few years as it deals with ongoing needs for road maintenance, while progressing a demanding programme of strategic road improvements. We are also awaiting developments arising from publication of the Review of Public Administration Emerging Findings Paper in October 2007, so that changes to our structure or working arrangements can be planned and implemented smoothly.

"The Draft Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland will see £3.1billion invested in our road network by 2018. This includes a £400million contribution by the south of Ireland for improvements to the inter urban routes linking Dublin, Belfast and the North West. Despite these challenges, Roads Service will continue to concentrate on scheme delivery in the Derry City Council area. 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,’’ added Mr Beatie.

Notes to Editors:

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