Roads Service reports on schemes in Armagh area

Transport Minister Conor Murphy welcomed the successful completion of Roads Service's 2009/2010 programme of works and the planned £3.7million for structural road maintenance in the Armagh area, this year.

Speaking ahead of this evening's meeting between Roads Service and Armagh City and District Council, the Minister said: "A range of local schemes have been delivered successfully by Roads Service in the past year. While the tightening public expenditure environment in the year ahead will be challenging, Roads Service remains committed to ensure it can make best use of our resources and continue to deliver quality public services.

"Improvement schemes carried out in 2009/10 included a major collision remedial scheme on the A27 Tandragee road at Shortt’s crossroads. This scheme greatly improves safety for motorists and pedestrians as well as benefitting traffic progression at this highly trafficked junction.

"A number of local transport and safety schemes were delivered in the Armagh area in 2009/10. These included the provision of a right turning lane on the A3 Portadown Road, Armagh at C179 Drummilly Road. The work improved traffic movement and safety for drivers and pedestrians and included a stretch of new footway along this section of road. Another similar scheme was completed in November 2009 on A29 Keady Road, Armagh at the Rock Road junction.

"In total 59 lane kilometres of carriageway were resurfaced, the most significant schemes being the A3 Portadown Road Armagh from the Cloughan Road to Sleepy Valley."

Speaking at the meeting, Divisional Roads Manager, Bertie Ellison welcomed the continued investment in road maintenance, which is helping to rectify the damage caused by the severe conditions last winter. He said: "A major trunk road resurfacing scheme to be carried out this year will be 1.3km of the A3 Monaghan Road, Armagh."

Roads Service also presented the Council with a programme of local transport and safety measures, which is currently being developed for the area. These projects, which include additional road markings, enhanced signage and high friction surfacing at B28 Moy Road at Ardress Crossroads. It is also proposed, subject to funding, to provide a section of missing footway link at Fairgreen Road, Markethill.

Notes to editors:

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