Speaking ahead of tonight’s meeting between Roads Service and Lisburn City Council, the Minister said: “The statutory processes and vesting of land have been completed to facilitate provision of a grade separated junction at Dromore Road, Hillsborough. The construction works are scheduled to commence this summer and are being taken forward in conjunction with three similar schemes along the A1 route.
“Other schemes to be taken forward in the Lisburn City Area include junction improvements on the Saintfield Road at the A49 / B6 intersection and, subject to successful conclusion of land acquisition negotiations, similar schemes at Quarterland Road / Budore Road, Hannahstown and Ballynahinch Road / Magheraconluce Road / Howe Road, Ballykeel. ”
Mr Murphy welcomed the continued high level of investment in local transport and safety measures in the Lisburn City Council Borough which includes traffic calming, collision remedial, pedestrian measures, cycling measures and Safer Routes to Schools.
Road Service’s Deputy Divisional Roads Manager, Kevin Monaghan 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.
“The Strategic Road Improvement Programme envisages an investment of £1.4billion in the period up to 2015. Around £1billion of these schemes has 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.
“Despite these challenges, Roads Service will continue to concentrate on scheme delivery in Lisburn City Council Borough. We will minimise the disruption that will arise from our works and we will give motorists advance warning of roadworks through signage and information prior to works. There will also be updated information on our website and radio traffic reports,’’ he said.
Mr Monaghan also took the opportunity to highlight some of the schemes completed in 2006/07. These included footway provision together with junction widening on the Magheraconluce Road at the Ballylintagh Road intersection and inclusion of a bus lane at Ballybog Road to further enhance the Queensway / Kingsway bus route. In addition, a hard shoulder busway has been completed along the M1 (Belfast bound) route between the Saintfield Road junction and Blacks Road. This compliments the Park and Ride sites provided at Blacks Road and Sprucefield. These are assisting in the maintenance of traffic flow, particularly at peak periods during the ongoing major works on the M1/ Westlink.
Notes to Editors:
Media queries to: Emma Flynn Davies or Michaela Smyth, Press Office, Department for Regional Development, Tel 028 90540887.
