Roads Service reports on schemes in Down area

Transport Minister Conor Murphy welcomed the successful completion of Roads Service's 2009/2010 programme of works and the planned £2.8 million for structural road maintenance in the Down District Council area this year.  

Speaking ahead of this evening's meeting between Roads Service and Down 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 road realignment on the B2 Downpatrick Road with the Magheralone Road, Annacloy. This scheme provided enhanced visibility and safety for the motorist at this busy junction. A number of local transport and safety schemes were delivered in the Down area in 2009/10. These included widening and improved sightlines at the junction of the Vianstown Road with the Bonecastle Road, Downpatrick. Speed reduction features were introduced in Drumaness village, Circular Road / Bunker Hill, Castlewellan and Saul Street / Saul Road, Downpatrick.

"In total 23 lane kilometres of carriageway were resurfaced, the most significant schemes being the A24 Church Road, Ballynahinch from the Carlisle Park Junction to the entrance of the new technical college."

Speaking at the meeting, Network Maintenance Manger Arnold Hamilton welcomed the continued investment in road maintenance, which is helping to rectify the damage caused by the severe conditions last winter.  He said:  “Roads Service is committed to delivering a range of road maintenance measures including a programme of road resurfacing works. This includes the recently completed work of 500 metres of the A24 Drumaness Road, Ballynahinch and planned works on the A2 Dundrum Road, Newcastle.”

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 enhanced gateway signage and road markings when entering Bryansford village and speed control measures at the junction of Edward Street and John Street, Downpatrick will be delivered as resources permit.

Notes to editors:

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