Having considered the inspector’s report of his findings on the public inquiries held to consider the A2 Broadbridge scheme, the minister has tasked Roads Service with progressing the scheme, taking into account the inspector’s recommended amendments.
Construction of the scheme, which will provide 6.6 kilometres of dual carriageway from Maydown Roundabout to the City of Derry Airport is expected to commence early next year.
Commenting on the scheme, the minister said: "I welcome the benefits to road users with the provision of a new all purpose dual carriageway. This will help to accommodate increasing traffic flows, resulting in reduced journey times and making the road a safer and more attractive route for east/west traffic on the A2. This improvement will in turn contribute towards the continued economic development of the north and efforts to improve road safety.”
Notes to Editors:
1. The A2 is part of the Northern Key Transport Corridor connecting Belfast to Derry via Coleraine. It is the main road connecting Limavady to Derry and provides links to the Maydown and Campsey industrial zones and to the City of Derry Airport, the key air transport hub in the northwest.
2. As a result of the inspector’s report two proposed amendments are to be incorporated into the scheme in the vicinity of the proposed Campsey Roundabout.
(i)The first amendment incorporates a left-in/left-out access at the existing Donneybrewer Road Junction (ii)The second amendment makes a minor realignment to the proposed Cloghole Road link
In addition, a number of other minor amendments affecting land take have been agreed with landowners. The inspector’s recommendations have led to the need for some extra land and the department proposes to acquire these lands by means of an additional vesting order. A Notice of Intention to make the Vesting Order has been prepared and published. It is expected that both vesting orders will be made and become operative simultaneously later in the year.
3. The inspector’s report, and the department’s statement on the way forward will be available to view from 20 August to 1October 2008 at the following offices of the department:
- Roads Service – Northern Division, County Hall, Castlerock Road, Coleraine BT52 3HS;
- Roads Service – Northern Division, Derry Section Office, 1 Crescent Road, Derry BT47 2NQ;
- Roads Service - Headquarters, Room 2-01, Clarence Court, 10-18 Adelaide Street, Belfast BT2 8GB
and at the offices of Derry City Council, 98 Strand Road, Derry BT48 7NN and Northwest Development Office, Orchard House, 40 Foyle Street, Derry BT48 6AR.
Alternatively, an electronic version of the statement and copies of the Direction Order may be requested by e-mail from Roads.Legislation@drdni.gov.uk.
4. Media queries to: Department for Regional Development, Press Office, Tel: 028 9054 0887. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
