Speaking ahead of tonight’s meeting between Roads Service and Down District Council, the Minister said: “Schemes which will be taken forward in the Down District Council area this year include A24 Shore Road, Kilclief, Strangford. This scheme will provide improved forward visibility on this stretch of carriageway. Junction Improvements will be carried out on the Magheralone Road, Annacloy to increase sightline visibility.”
Mr Murphy welcomed the road maintenance schemes progressed in the Down area last year. He said this year’s increased allocation for structural maintenance would allow a larger number of resurfacing schemes to proceed on local roads this financial year.
Road Service’s Acting Divisional Roads Manager Bertie Ellison welcomed the planned investment in local transport and safety measures in the Down District Council area, which includes traffic calming, collision remedial, pedestrian measures, cycling measures and safer routes to schools.
In addition to the schemes that will be delivered in 2009/10, Mr Ellison drew attention to the development work that was being undertaken on Strategic Road Improvement schemes in Southern Division. In particular A24 Ballynahinch bypass in which Roads Service consultants, are proceeding with work considered essential to inform subsequent scheme development. It remains Roads Service intention to bring its proposal to public consultation as soon as practicably possible.
Roads Service has also been in consultation with local government representatives on matters arising from the Review of Public Administration. These included the details of functions to be transferred to local government in 2011 and the arrangements to allow the new councils to influence roads programmes.
Mr Ellison highlighted some of the schemes already completed in 2008/09. These included enhanced visibility at the junction of Ballyhoran Road with the Sleivegran Road, Downpatrick and the provision of a new footway linking Drumaness Village to a bus stop on the A24 Newcastle Road. In addition numerous collision remedial schemes were completed within the Down Council Area.
Notes to Editors:
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