Roads Service reports on schemes in Dungannon area

Transport Minister Conor Murphy welcomed the successful completion of Roads Service's 2009/2010 programme of works and the planned £3.85 million for structural road maintenance in the Dungannon and South Tyrone area this year.

Speaking ahead of this evening's meeting between Roads Service and Dungannon and South Tyrone 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 ensure it can make best use of our resources and continue to deliver quality public services.”

The Minister also commented on the major schemes in the Borough Council area: “The dualling of the A4 between Dungannon and Ballygawley which is now well advanced and remains on programme for completion in the early part of 2011. The realignment of the A4 Annaghilla Road between Ballygawley Roundabout and Augher and the realignment of the A5 Tullyvar Road between Ballygawley Roundabout and Aughnacloy have been substantially complete and were opened to traffic in March this year.”

The Minister was pleased to note the A29 Carland Bridge Realignment scheme is making good progress on the ground with opening of the new carriageway in full expected before the end of this calendar year.

The Minister noted the ongoing work on the A5 Western Transport Corridor. He said: “Development of the project is continuing and is on schedule for the publication of the Draft Statutory Orders and Environmental Statement in the autumn of this year”.

The Minister also commented on the major schemes in the Council area. He said: “Over 25 kms of resurfacing has been completed, the most significant schemes being A5 Omagh Road, Ballygawley at Ballymackilroy and A45 Granville Road, Dungannon."

Speaking at the meeting, Divisional Roads Manager, Pat Doherty welcomed the continued investment in road maintenance, which is helping to rectify the damage caused by the severe conditions last winter. He said that two major trunk road resurfacing schemes to be carried out this year will be 1.34kms of the Omagh Road, Ballygawley at Ballymackilroy (Phase 2) and 0.35 kms of the Moy Road, Dungannon at Moygashel junction.

"This year we have seen the completion of a new gateway signage at Eglish and Cabragh villages, a sightline improvement and resurfacing on the C636 Tullycullion Road at Tullydraw junction and Safer Routes to Schools schemes at Windmill Integrated Primary, Dungannon, St Joseph’s Primary School, Caledon and Fivemiletown Primary Schools. The ongoing cooperation of the residents of these areas is appreciated while this important work is in progress.

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 a right turning lane at Mullaghmore Road at Tullydraw junction and the provision of a new Bus Stop and Park and Ride Facilty at Ballygawley Roundabout will be delivered as resources permit.

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