Roads Service reports on schemes in Newtownabbey area

Transport Minister Conor Murphy welcomed the successful completion of Roads Service's 2009/2010 programme of works and the planned £2.1million spend in the Newtownabbey Borough this year.

Speaking ahead of this evening's meeting between Roads Service and Newtownabbey Borough 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 ensuring it can make best use of limited resources and continue delivering quality public services.

"Preparatory work is continuing to dual the Greenisland section of the A2 between Ravenhill and Silverstream. This scheme will relieve congestion and provide a continuous four lane road between Carrickfergus and Whiteabbey."

A geotechnical investigation was completed in 2009 and an archaeological investigation is being carried out this year. The start date for this scheme will depend upon the availability of funding in future years.

The Minister said: "During 2009/10 minor works completed included the first phase of a road widening and footway scheme at Park Road, Mallusk where the carriageway has been widened to 6m and a 300m stretch of footway provided between the Antrim Road junction and the Belfast City Council playing fields.

"Further road safety improvements have also been delivered in the Borough. The completed schemes include central hatching and right turn pocket provision on the Antrim Road at Chimney Corner; a new pelican crossing at Carnmoney Road near Carnvue Road; Safer Routes to School programmes at the Thompson and Doagh primaries and Gateway treatments at Ballyclare and Ballyrobert. "

Speaking at the meeting, Kevin Monaghan, Deputy Divisional Roads Manager, welcomed the continued investment in road maintenance, which is helping to rectify the damage caused by the severe conditions last winter. He said: "Road maintenance remains a priority with over 20km of carriageway resurfacing completed in 2009/10. This includes Carnmoney Road, Templepatrick Road, Mallusk Road, Longwood Road and Mill Road, Ballyclare. In addition, over 1.8km of footway has been resurfaced which includes Ards Drive, Monkstown, Ballyeaston Road, Ballyclare and Main Street, Ballyclare."

Commenting on work proposed for the current financial year, Mr Monaghan said: "An enhanced trafficwatchni website containing additional traffic information has recently been launched by the Minister, and schemes currently “on site” cover a diverse works programme. These range from provision of 700m of new footway at the Ballyeaston Road and Lower Ballyboley Road, to high friction surfacing and enhanced signage at Doagh Road on the approach to the Old Carrick Road. "

Roads Service also presented the Council with a programme for local transport and safety measures, which is currently being developed for the area. These projects, which include traffic calming at Merville Garden Village Park and Phase 2 of a new footway scheme at Park Road, Mallusk, will be delivered as resources permit.

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