Minister announces public inquiry for proposed widening scheme - A55 Knock Road

Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy has announced a decision to hold a public inquiry into a road widening scheme on the A55 Knock Road, Belfast.

Following publication of the statutory orders for the scheme in November 2009, Roads Service received over 110 objections, mostly from local residents.

Minister Murphy said: “It is important that improvements are made to this part of our strategic road network. It is also important that the concerns of local people are fully taken into account before any final decisions are taken. I have therefore decided that a public inquiry should be held, giving everyone the opportunity to have their views considered.”

Arrangements are now being made to hold the public inquiry in the Autumn of 2010. A formal notification will be published in due course, at least eight weeks before the Inquiry will be held. All those that responded to the proposals will be contacted directly to advise them of the detailed arrangements.

Notes to editors:

1. The Regional Transportation Strategy, approved by the Assembly in 2002, confirms the need to address bottlenecks on the strategic highway network.

2. The Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan 2015, published in November 2004, identifies widening the carriageway between Sandown Road and Brooklyn to improve safety and efficiency of the Outer Ring road such that it can provide a more consistent standard of road.

3. The A55 Knock Road widening scheme is included in the Roads Service major works preparation pool at an estimated cost of £9.7 million (2005 prices) and the Departments Investment Delivery Plan to be delivered between 2013 and 2018.

4. The statutory orders published in November 2009, are in four parts:

• The draft direction order, which details proposed changes to the road;
• The environmental statement, which considers the environmental impact of the proposed scheme and sets out mitigation measures;
• The notice of intention to make a vesting order, which details the land requirements for the proposed scheme;
• and An order was published at the same time relating to the stopping up of private accesses from the Knock Road.

5. Media queries to: Emma Flynn Davies, Department for Regional Development, Press Office, 028 90540007. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.