Speaking ahead of tonight’s meeting between Roads Service and Ballymena Borough Council, the Minister said: “Five route improvement corridors for the dualling of the A26 Frosses Dualling between Glarryford and Ballycastle Fork were presented at a second public consultation event in June of this year. Alignments within the route improvement corridors are now being developed and it is hoped to announce the preferred route in early to mid 2008.
“A public inquiry was held in March of this year to test the case for and against the proposed M2 Link (Ballymena Bypass to Balee Road East). My Department has received the inspector’s report and is giving it consideration.
“Other schemes which have been completed this financial year include 37km of surface dressing of various routes within the Ballymena area at a total cost of £175,000; visibility splay improvements at the junctions of the Largy Road / Gillistown Road and Ballynafie Road / Carmagrim Road, Portglenone; upgrading of the electrical system in the Town Centre multi-storey car park; traffic calming measures in Ballykeel 1, Ballykeel 2 and Crebilly Road; and collision remedial measures at the Balee Road West / Cromkill and Cullybackey Road / Sand Road junctions.”
At the meeting Road Service’s Principal Engineer, Terry Fulton welcomed the continued high level of investment in local transport and safety measures in the Ballymena Borough. These include traffic calming schemes, measures to assist cyclists and pedestrians and a programme of school travel and safety projects.
Mr Fulton said: "Roads Service faces some very significant challenges over the next few years as it deals with ongoing needs for road maintenance, while progressing a demanding programme of strategic road improvements. We are also awaiting developments arising from the publication of the Review of Public Administration Emerging Findings Paper in October 2007, so that changes to our structure or working arrangements can be planned and implemented smoothly.
“The Draft Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland will see £3.1billion invested in our road network by 2018. This includes a £400million contribution by the south of Ireland for improvements to the inter urban routes linking Dublin, Belfast and the North West. Despite these challenges, Roads Service will continue to concentrate on scheme delivery in the Ballymena Council area. We will minimise the disruption that will arise from our works and we will give motorists advance warning of roadworks through signage and information prior to works. There will also be updated information on our website and radio traffic reports,’’ added Mr Fulton.
Notes to Editors:
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