Speaking ahead of this evening’s meeting between Roads Service and Antrim Borough Council, the Minister said: “My Department has published statements setting out its decision on the Inspector’s reports on the public inquiries held in November 2007 to examine the Environmental Statements, Direction Orders and Vesting Orders prepared for the proposed Randalstown to Toome and Toome to Castledawson Dualling Schemes. Public exhibitions to explain the revised junction proposals associated with the A6 Randalstown to Castledawson dual carriageway are to be held in the next few weeks in both Castledawson and Toome. Roads Service expects the planning of the revised junction improvements to be complete in late 2010. Availability of finance at that time will determine when the scheme will be built.
“A programme of 11.7km of carriageway resurfacing is nearing completion in the Antrim area this year at a cost of £1.1million which included 2.3km of resurfacing on the C28 Ballyrobin Road, 2.2km on the C44 Crosskeenan Lane and 1.0km on the C44 Ballynoe Road.
“Also completed this year was Stage 1 (approx 475m) of a £260,000 footway scheme in Randalstown on the Barnish Road, from Whelans Park, out to the playing fields on Barnish Road. Stage 2 (approximately 560m) to continue this footway and connect to the playing fields is included in the draft 2010/2011 works programme.
“A number of traffic calming measures and safety related schemes have been completed on streets within the Antrim Council area. These measures included footway links at Ardmore Road, Crumlin and Clonboy Walk, Randalstown, and traffic calming measures in Toome village at Trea Gardens, Gloverstown Road and at the access road to the park and share car park at Drumderg Roundabout.”
Roads Service Principal Engineer, Jim Campbell said: “Other works that are planned this financial year include a junction visibility improvement at the junction of A6 Castle Road with the U54 Milltown Road, and a footway extension on the Moneynick Road in Toome.
"The financial position for the next two years will depend on decisions made by the Executive. However, Roads Service is still planning improvement schemes and welcomes comments from Council on its programmes."
Notes to editors:
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