Speaking ahead of tonight’s meeting between Roads Service and Magherafelt District Council, the Minister said: “Work will commence this year on a carriageway realignment scheme on the A54 Ballymacombs Road at Smithtown Cross, Bellaghy, where it is proposed to realign the carriageway over a length of 500metres. This scheme is estimated to cost in excess of £700k and will be completed over the next two financial years.”
Roads Service’s Divisional Roads Manager, Pat Doherty, welcomed the continued high level of investment in the Magherafelt 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 the completion of the bridge replacement scheme on the B42 at Lisnamuck near Tobermore and the provision of a footway at Craigadick Road, Maghera. Major resurfacing schemes will also be carried out on the A29 in Desertmartin and Maghera and on the A31 at Castledawson Road, Magherafelt.
Mr Doherty 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 £1.4billion in the period up to 2015. Around £1billion of these schemes have 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. 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 Magherafelt 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 Doherty also took the opportunity to highlight some of the schemes taken forward in 2006/07. These included the completion of the road realignment scheme at Aughrim Road, Magherafelt, and traffic calming schemes in Maghera, Draperstown and Straw. Significant resurfacing schemes were also completed on the A31 at Queen's Street, Magherafelt, and on a number of sections of the B18 Shore Road.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Media queries to: Emma Flynn Davies or Michaela Smyth, Department for Regional Development, Press Office, 02890 540887.
