Speaking ahead of tonight’s meeting between Roads Service and Newry and Mourne District Council the Minister said: “The A1 Loughbrickland to Beech Hill scheme is now complete and was opened officially on 21 November 2006 by the Chairman of Banbridge District Council and the Mayor of Newry and Mourne District Council. Completion of the 14km A1/N1 Cloghogue to the Border (and on to Ballymascanlon, Dundalk) dual-carriageway is anticipated towards the end of 2007, while the A1 Beech Hill to Cloghogue scheme is due to commence in summer 2007.”
Other schemes which will be taken forward in the Newry and Mourne District Council area include footway provision and local carriageway widening at Glen Hill, Newry, and carriageway realignment and sight distance improvements at Dundalk Road/Cullyhanna Road, Newtownhamilton.
Roads Service’s Divisional Roads Manager (Acting) Robert Ellison welcomed the continued high level of investment in local transport and safety measures in the Newry and Mourne District Council area which includes traffic calming, collision remedial, pedestrian measures, cycling measures, 'Safer Routes to Schools' and controlled pedestrian crossings.
Mr Ellison 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.
“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 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. It is however noted the Assembly has decided to review this decision.
“Despite these challenges, Roads Service will continue to concentrate on scheme delivery in the Newry and Mourne 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,’’ he said.
Mr Ellison also took the opportunity to highlight some of the schemes already completed in 2006/07. These included a footbridge over the Drumreagh River; street lighting and a footway link from Drumreagh Park to Rostrevor at Greenpark Road, Rostrevor; and visibility improvements at Betty’s Hill Road, Ballyholland. Visibility improvements to the SandbankRoad /Kilkeel Road Hilltown; Cullaville village regeneration scheme; and carriageway realignment and visibility improvements on Tandragee Road at Ashtree Hill are ongoing.
Notes to Editors:
Media queries to: Emma Flynn Davies or Michaela Smyth, Department for Regional Development, Press Office, Tel: 02890 540372.
