Divisional Roads Manager Pat Doherty said: "I welcome the continued high level of investment in the Strabane area as this allows completion of the scheme at Glenroan Bridge as well as progression of the road realignment scheme on the B49 at Berryhill Road Artigarvan, the junction improvement at Bellspark Road/Peacock Road near Sion MiIls and the resurfacing scheme through Sion Mills."
Looking further to the future Mr Doherty said: "Roads Service faces some very significant challenges over the next few years as it gears up to deliver a demanding programme of Strategic Road Improvements while planning to restructure in line with the outcome of the Review of Public Administration.”
The Strategic Road Improvement Programme envisages an investment of £1.4bn in the period up to 2015. Around £1bn of these schemes have already been identified and a consultation on a further £400m of schemes was completed at the end of 2006. In addition, the Republic of Ireland National Development Plan 2007-2013, contains proposals on the inter-urban routes linking the main population centres of Dublin, Belfast and the North West. In the shorter term these initiatives will allow schemes such as Strabane Bypass Stage 3 and the Strabane - Lifford Link Road to progress.
It is also proposed that the Review of Public Administration will see responsibility for the maintenance and development of local roads, approximately 23,700km of the total 25,000km of public roads, transfer to the seven new Councils in May 2009.
“Despite these challenges, Roads Service will continue to concentrate on scheme delivery in Strabane District Council area. To minimise the disruption that will arise from our works we will also be making every effort to give motorists advance warning of roadworks through signage and information prior to works. There will be updated information on our website and radio traffic reports,’’ said Mr Doherty.
Notes to Editors:
Media queries to: Emma Flynn Davies or Michaela Smyth, Department for Regional Development, Press Office, Tel: 028 9054 0007.
