Speaking ahead of tonight’s meeting between Roads Service and Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council, the Minister said: “Work will continue this year on the progression of the A4 and A5 improvements project and on the major works scheme at Carland Bridge. It is hoped that both these projects will commence on the ground in early 2008.”
Roads Service’s Divisional Roads Manager, Pat Doherty, welcomed the continued high level of investment in the Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council area and identified a number of other schemes which will be taken forward in the area in the 2007/2008 financial year. These include the provision of a right turn lane on the Moy Road at its junction with Old Moy Road and a sightline improvement on the B45 Eglish Road at its junction with Killybracken Road. Major resurfacing schemes will also be carried out on the A4 at Cullenfad and in the vicinity of Finlay’s Engineering and Knockconny Baptist Church. A section of the A29 Circular Road, Dungannon, from the Leisure Centre to Killyman Road, will also be resurfaced.
Mr Doherty added: "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.
“The Strategic Road Improvement Programme envisages an investment of £1.4billion in the period up to 2015. Around £1billion of these schemes have already been identified and a consultation on a further £400million of schemes was completed at the end of 2006. In addition, the 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. It is however noted that the Assembly has decided to review this decision.
“Despite these challenges, Roads Service will continue to concentrate on scheme delivery in Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council area. To minimise the disruption that will arise from our works we will also be making every effort to give motorists advance warning of roadworks through signage and information prior to works. There will be updated information on our website and radio traffic reports.’’
Mr Doherty also took the opportunity to highlight some of the schemes taken forward in 2006/07. These included the provision of an undertaking lane on the A5 at Ballygawley Hill/Richmond Lane and Collision Remedial schemes on the B35 Carnteel Road at Kyle’s corner and the Castletown Road junction.
Significant resurfacing schemes were also completed on the A4 between Fasglashagh Road and Gortlenaghan Road and adjacent to EDL Plant Hire.
Notes to Editors:
Media queries to: Emma Flynn Davies or Michaela Smyth, Department for Regional Development, Press Office, 02890 540887.
