Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon today confirmed her intention to make the Direction Order for the Ballynahinch Bypass scheme.
Minister Mallon said:
“I want to reaffirm my commitment to the delivery of the Ballynahinch scheme and I am delighted to announce this key step in the development of the Ballynahinch Bypass scheme.
“This important project, will deliver a bypass that will significantly reduce motor traffic in the centre of Ballynahinch and improve journey time reliability and safety on the A24 Belfast to Newcastle Road.
“In parallel with this work, my Department is exploring further opportunities to improve the town centre to create a sustainable, liveable place where people have the space to stay, meet, shop and safely walk, wheel and cycle. This will include opportunities for active and sustainable travel in the town including a new footway/cycleway and a park and share facility on the bypass.
“We have a real opportunity to seize this chance for change and build back better together for our local communities. As Minister I’m committed to making progress in Ballynahinch and right across the North. This is a positive step forward for the local community who have waited many years for progress on the Ballynahinch Bypass and moving forward with it is part of my plan to aid economic recovery and community transformation, while addressing regional imbalance.”
Notes to editors:
- The 3.1 km scheme will provide a new single carriageway bypass, with 2+1 sections to provide overtaking opportunities, a new footway/cycleway along its length and a park & share facility at its northern end.
- The scheme is expected to cost in the region of £ 35 - 45 million.
- The Direction Order designates the length of new and upgraded road that will become trunk road.
- Following publication of the Environmental Statement and draft orders for consultation in March 2015, a Public Inquiry was held in January 2016. Subsequently and following a review of the Public Inquiry Inspector’s report the “Notice of Intention to Proceed” for the scheme was announced in December 2016. However, as the Executive collapsed in early 2017, the Department was unable to proceed to make the necessary Direction Order for the scheme at that time.
- The Minister, having carefully considered the outcome of the previous Public Inquiry has confirmed that the Direction Order for the scheme should now be made in readiness for funding becoming available.
- All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk.
- The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for Media Enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
- Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra and on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure