The Minister said: “Traffic calming schemes totalling £45,000 are planned in Ballycarry Village and at Millbrook and Upper Waterloo Road in Larne. The measures will consist of road humps, central hatching and road markings in an effort to regulate and reduce excess traffic speeds in the various areas.
"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.”
Speaking at a meeting between Roads Service and Larne Borough Council, Road Service’s Divisional Roads Manager, Jim Beattie welcomed the continued high level of investment in local transport and safety measures in the Larne Borough Council area, which includes traffic calming, collision remedial, pedestrian measures, cycling measures and Safer Routes to Schools.
Other schemes which will be taken forward in the Larne Borough Council area this year include Collision Remedial Schemes at Ballyrickard Road, which is well underway, and on the A8 at Ramp. A visibility sight splay improvement is also proposed on the eastern side of the Moss Road / Ballygowan Road, Larne.
Mr Beattie said: “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 Larne Borough 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.’’
Notes to Editors:
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