A20 Southern Distributor Road Opens

The £7million A20 Southern Distributor Road was opened today by the Department for Regional Development's Permanent Secretary, Paul Priestly, 15 months after the first sod was cut.

Mr Priestly welcomed the new scheme and said: “This project has the potential to bring significant economic benefits to the whole of the Ards community.

"The A20 Southern Distributor links three important roads in the town: the Portaferry Road; the Comber Road; and the Belfast Road. It comprises four new roundabouts, together with 2.7km of new carriageway and associated cycle and footways along much of its length.

"The Department has worked closely with colleagues in NI Water to take advantage of the opportunity presented by the construction of the new road to considerably enhance the water and sewerage infrastructure in the area.

"Although this additional work has meant the completion of the road has taken three months longer than initially anticipated, there have been significant savings to the public purse as a result."

Mr Priestly also took the opportunity to confirm the completion of the Frederick Street Link: “The Department has received many positive comments about how this has eased congestion at the Scrabo Road/Circular Road junction and removed considerable volumes of traffic from the area in the vicinity of Newtownards Model Primary School."

Notes to Editors:

1. The Department’s Roads Service worked in partnership with Castlebawn Limited to develop and provide this roads project.

2. The Southern Distributor, in its various forms, has been identified in many Area Plans dating back to 1972.

3. Media queries to the Department for Regional Development Press Office, Tel 028 90 540372. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.