Speaking ahead of this afternoon’s meeting between Roads Service and Antrim Borough Council, the Minister said: “It is proposed to improve the junction visibility splays at Craigstown Rd / Ballylurgan Rd, Staffordstown Rd / Blackrock Rd, Printshop Rd / Lylehill Rd, Castle Rd / Milltown Rd, Old Coach Rd / Lowtown Rd, Ballynadrentagh Rd / Blackstock Rd and Steeple Rd / Ladyhill Rd.
“It is also proposed to extend the existing footway on the Moneynick Rd, Toome from Gloverstown Rd to Drumderg Roundabout and also extend the footway on the Barnish Rd, Randalstown towards the playing fields this financial year.”
In addition to the schemes that will be delivered in 2009/2010, the Minister also made reference to the development work that was being undertaken on strategic road improvement schemes in the Antrim area, in particular the dualling of the A6 between Randalstown and Castledawson. He said: “Roads Service is working towards appointing a contractor to undertake the design and construction of the scheme with work programmed to start on site in 2011 and complete in 2013.”
Mr Murphy welcomed the road maintenance schemes progressed in the Antrim 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 Principal Engineer, Jim Campbell, welcomed the planned investment in local transport and safety measures in the Antrim area, which includes traffic calming, collision remedial, pedestrian measures, cycling measures and safer routes to schools.
Schemes which will be taken forward in the Antrim area this year include: “Traffic calming measures on the Rathenraw Estate, Antrim; widening of the footway on Old Steeple Rd, Antrim as part of an ongoing Safe Route to School project with Antrim Grammar School. New school warning signs incorporating flashing amber lights will be provided at Crumlin Primary School on Mill Rd and at Maine Integrated Primary School in Randalstown as part of an initiative aimed at introducing enhanced traffic management and speed management measures outside schools on main traffic routes,” said Mr Campbell.
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 Campbell also highlighted some of the schemes that were completed in 2008/2009. These included: Footway provision on Dunadry Rd, Dunadry, between the railway bridge and Clady Rd; a bend improvement at the junction of the Lurgan Rd / Cherryvalley Rd, Crumlin; traffic calming measures on a number of streets in Randalstown; and collision remedial measures at the junction of the Dublin Rd / Ballymena Rd / Randalstown Rd in Antrim.
Notes to Editors:
Media queries to: Anne Burke, Department for Regional Development Press Office 028 9054 0007.
