Speaking ahead of tonight’s meeting between Roads Service and Ards Borough Council, the Minister said: “Roads Service is progressing with the statutory processes for the construction of the A20 Newtownards Southern Distributor and A20 Newtownards Frederick Street Link (link from Nursery Road to the roundabout at Frederick Street/Mill Street/John Street). It is anticipated that construction will commence this financial year on both schemes.”
Road Service’s Divisional Roads Manager (Acting), Robert Ellison, welcomed the continued high level of investment in the Ards Borough Council area and identified a number of other schemes which will be taken forward in the area in the 2007/2008 financial year. Subject to land agreements these include junction improvements at: Rowreagh Road/Gransha Road, Kircubbin; Moss Road/Ballykeigle Road, Ballygowan; Saintfield Road/Ravara Road, Ballygowan; Abbey Road/Woburn Road, Carrowdore; and Ballyblack Road/Ballyblack Road East, Newtownards, and footway provision at Quarter Road, Cloughy.
Mr Ellison 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 the Ards Borough 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 Ellison also took the opportunity to highlight some of the schemes taken forward in 2006/07. These included visibility and alignment improvements at Hillsborough Road, Comber, near Ballymaleddy Road, and a deceleration lane on the Kempstones Dual Carriageway, Newtownards. Verge strengthening and carriageway support schemes were completed on the Portaferry Road, Cloughey, adjacent to Ballygalget Road and at Carrickmannon Road, Ballygowan.
Notes to Editors:
Media queries to: Emma Flynn Davies or Michaela Smyth, Department for Regional Development, Press Office, 028 90 540887.
