Speaking ahead of tonight’s meeting between Roads Service and Armagh City and District Council, the Minister said: “Roads Service is progressing with the work necessary to identify a preferred route for the A3 Armagh North and West Link Road scheme.”
Road Service’s Strategic Roads Improvement Manager, Leslie McCullough welcomed the continued high level of investment in the Armagh City and District 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 Brotally Crossroads, Armagh and subject to land agreements, Corcreevy Road, Richill and Auglish Road at Blacks Lane, Tandragee.
Mr McCullough 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 £1.4bn in the period up to 2015. Around £1bn of these schemes have already been identified and a consultation on a further £400m 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 the Armagh City and District 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 McCullough also took the opportunity to highlight some of the schemes taken forward in 2006/07. These included visibility and alignment improvements at Madden Road, Keady; Newtownhamilton Road junction/Keady Road, Armagh and Farmacaffly Road, Armagh.
Notes to Editors:
Media queries to: Emma Flynn Davies or Michaela Smyth, Department for Regional Development, Press Office, 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.
