Speaking ahead of tonight’s meeting between Roads Service and Craigavon Borough Council the Minister said: “Construction of a new roundabout on the Gilford Road at Drumlin Hill, Portadown, is progressing satisfactorily and this safety improvement scheme is expected to be completed by the end of the summer.”
Mr Murphy highlighted other schemes which will be taken forward in the Craigavon Borough Council area. These include a junction improvement at Dollingstown Crossroads on the A3; provision of a footway on the Damhill Road, Magheralin; upgrading to improve traffic movements on the Plantation Road and carriageway widening and sightline improvements on the Clanrolla Road. Subject to land agreements schemes will also commence on Batchelor’s Walk, Portadown and access improvements to the Clare Road at Clare Moss Road.
Roads Service’s Strategic Roads Improvement Manager, Leslie McCullough, welcomed the continued high level of investment in local transport and safety measures in the Craigavon Borough Council area which includes traffic calming, collision remedial, pedestrian measures, cycling measures, safer routes to schools and controlled pedestrian crossings.
Mr McCullough 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 £1.4billion in the period up to 2015. Around £1billion of these schemes have already been identified and a consultation on a further £400million 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.
“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 Craigavon Borough 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.”
Mr McCullough also took the opportunity to highlight some of the schemes already completed in 2006/07. These included localised widening and corner/sightline improvements on the Lisnasure Road, Donaghcloney; an exit lane at the Antrim Road junction with Kilmore Road, Lurgan; provision of a new footway on the Birches Road, and extension of the existing footway on the Kilmore Road. Localised widening was also carried out on the Moygannon, Ardmore and Drumnacanvy Roads.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Media queries to: Emma Flynn Davies or Michaela Smyth, Press Office, Department for Regional Development,
Tel: 028 9054 0372.
