During his delivery of the Department for Regional Development Roads Service Spring Report to Belfast City Council, Roads Service Divisional Roads Manager, Tom McCourt said: “This level of investment is indicative of the substantial capital investment throughout Northern Ireland which this year will total £102 million.”
Among the major schemes that will be taken forward are the continuation of the substantive M1/Westlink improvements and the design work for the upgrading of the Kings Bridge and improvement of the A55 outer ring at Knock Road.
Mr McCourt welcomed the continued high level of investment in local transport and safety measures in the Belfast City Council area that includes: cantilevered traffic signals at Dublin Road/Pakenham Street/Fulton Street, further channelisation along Ballysillan Road and Belmont Road plus additional roll out of the Safer Routes To Schools Programme on the Falls Road and Whiterock Road.
Mr McCourt said: “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 while planning to restructure in line with the outcome of the Review of Public Administration.”
The Strategic Road Improvement Programme envisages an investment of £1.4bn in the period up to 2015. In addition, the Republic of Ireland National Development Plan 2007-2013, contains proposals on the inter-urban routes linking the main population centres of Dublin, Belfast and the North West.
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.
“Despite these challenges, Roads Service will continue to concentrate on scheme delivery in the Belfast City Council area. To minimise the disruption that will arise from our works we will be making every effort to give motorists advance warning of road works through signage and information prior to works. There will be updated information on our website and radio traffic reports,’’ Mr McCourt added.
Notes to Editors:
Media queries to: Emma Flynn Davies or Michaela Smyth, Department for Regional Development, Press Office, Tel: 02890 540007.
