Roads Service to Invest £4.2Million in Coleraine Area

Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy announced a £4.2million investment for the Coleraine area this year.

Speaking ahead of tonight’s meeting between Roads Service and Coleraine Borough Council, the Minister said: “It is proposed to realign the bend on the Atlantic Road south of its junction with Islandtasserty Road to improve the forward sight distance. It is also proposed to improve the junction visibility lines of the Atlantic Road/Islandtasserty Road junction, known locally as ‘Mathers Cross’.

“A footway has already been completed this financial year on the Ballylagan Road in the existing verge in front of the housing at Islandmore and a combined cycle/footway has also been completed on the eastern side of Dunderg Road connecting the existing footway in Macosquin to the existing footway/cycleway on the Dunhill Road.”

Mr Murphy welcomed the road maintenance schemes progressed in the Coleraine area last year. He said this year's increased allocation for structural maintenance would allow a larger number of resurfacing schemes to proceed on local roads this financial year.

Road Service’s Divisional Roads Manager, Jim Beattie, welcomed the planned investment in local transport and safety measures in the Coleraine area, which includes traffic calming, collision remedial, pedestrian measures, cycling measures and safer routes to schools.

Roads Service has also been in consultation with local government representatives on matters arising from the Review of Public Administration. These included the details of functions to be transferred to local government in 2011 and the arrangements to allow the new councils to influence roads programmes.

Mr Beattie also highlighted some of the schemes that were completed in 2008/09. He said these included the realignment of an ‘S’ bend on the Ballymacrea Road near its junction with the Ballybogey Road; a footway provision on the southern side of Garvagh Road, Kilrea between Blackrock Road and the filling station/shops, which included pedestrian refuge islands; the cycle path has been extended on Sea Road, Castlerock between Liffock Park and the level crossing; and a variable 20 mph speed limit has been introduced on Mussenden Road at Hezlett Primary School, which operates during morning and evening periods when pupils are entering or leaving school.

Notes to Editors:

Media queries to: Anne Burke Department for Regional Development, Press Office, 028 9054 0007.