Progress on £4.6million roads investment in Strabane

Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy has welcomed Roads Service’s progress on investment totalling £4.6million in the Strabane area this year.

Speaking ahead of this evening’s meeting between Roads Service and Strabane District Council, the Minister said: "The key scheme affecting the district over the next few years will be the upgrading of the A5 Western Transport Corridor to dual carriageway status. This scheme is very important in terms of providing a safer road network and opening up the area for business opportunity. The Preferred Corridor was announced in July of this year and discussions with affected landowners are ongoing in advance of finalising the design and publication of draft statutory orders in late 2010."

In relation to the Local Transport and Safety Measures programme, the Minister said: "Around 650 metres of road realignment of the B49 Berryhill Road between Strabane and Artigarvan is scheduled to begin later this month. This scheme will provide a widened carriageway with improved sight distance over this busy section of road south of Artigarvan. The cost of this scheme is £350,000. As much of the scheme is adjacent to the existing road it is planned to keep disruption to traffic using the Berryhill Road to a minimum.

"The provision of a verge on the A5 Victoria Road at Bready corner is currently underway with the demolition of several buildings which were very close to the edge of the road," he said.

The Minister also welcomed that completion of resurfacing of schemes on the C675 Killeter Road at a cost of £105,000 and the C679 Drumnabey Road at a cost of £35,000 along with the commencement of the resurfacing of 1.4kms of the A5 Mulvin Road.

The Divisional Roads Manager, Mr Pat Doherty said: "Safer Routes to Schools measures costing £30,000 have been substantially complete in the vicinity of St Eugene’s Primary School Victoria Bridge and at Strabane High School and Strabane Primary School, Derry Road Strabane.

"Schemes still to be completed this financial year include junction visibility splay improvements at Maghernageeragh Road and McNally Park Killeter, a footway and visibility improvements at Drumlegagh Crossroads and the replacement of the bridge on Taboe Road near Donemana."

Looking to the future, Mr Doherty added: "The financial position for the next two years will depend on decisions made by Executive. However, Roads Service is still planning improvement schemes and welcome comments from Council on its programmes. Among the schemes being considered within the Draft Programme are the provision of a slip road on the A5 Strabane Road at the junction of the B46 Plumbridge Road, Newtownstewart and the realignment of the B85 Urney Road at Finn View, Strabane. Also included in this draft document are proposed bridge replacement and street lighting schemes."

Notes to editors:

1. All media queries to Emma Flynn Davies, Department for Regional Development Press Office, 028 9054 0372. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699715440 and your call will be returned.