Minister Advises of Road Works to Motorways over the Summer

Roads Minister Conor Murphy has advised of plans to carry out a series of schemes over the summer on the motorway network and associated roads in the Greater Belfast area.

The Minister said: “Roads Service has prepared a programme of works on the motorway network and associated roads in the Greater Belfast area, which will be carried out over the summer period. The timing of this work, to coincide with the reduced traffic volumes using the network during the summer, will help reduce the disruption to the road users.

"These works had been deferred to allow the completion of the main works on the M1 and the Westlink. To have carried these out at the same time, would have led to unacceptable disruption to the travelling public.”

Works on the M1 to replace the central median barrier between Saintfield Road and Black’s Road, are due to start on 15 June. The traffic restrictions will include a 50mph speed limit, with traffic restricted to using the hard shoulder and lane one. The works are programmed for completion by September 2009.

Improvements at York Street will require the closure of a lane on the M2 bound carriageway of the Westlink and the closure of the Clifton Street on slip onto the Westlink, which will run from 13 June to the beginning of September 2009.

Notes to Editors:

1. The M1barrier works are being carried out by John Graham (Dromore ) Ltd.

2. Media queries to: Department for Regional Development, Press Office, Tel: 028 9054 0372. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.