19 November 2001

WAIT IS OVER FOR £10 MILLION LIMAVADY BYPASS

DRD Roads Service has announced that work on the £10 million Limavady Bypass is scheduled to begin before Christmas.

Details of the major scheme were outlined by Jim Beattie, acting Divisional Roads Manager for Northern Division as he presented the Roads Service’s Interim Report for 2001/2002 to Limavady Borough Council tonight.

Mr Beattie said: "The single carriageway bypass around the northern periphery of Limavady is expected to start before Christmas and will take approximately 18 months to complete.

"Graham Contracts have been selected as the preferred contractor to construct the bypass, which will comprise of 6km of carriageway and three bridges, while the formal award of the contract is expected shortly. I propose to stage a small exhibition (in the Limavady Council Offices) to coincide with the start of the contract. "

Mr Beattie explained that the top priority for Roads Service continues to be the maintenance of the existing network.

He said: "I am pleased to inform the Council that Northern Division has secured extra funds for structural maintenance, most of which will be spent on additional resurfacing schemes. However, the amount allocated to Roads Service for maintaining the structure and surfaces of roads and footways throughout Northern Ireland is around half of what is required by our good practice Maintenance Funding Plan."

Funding for both Major and Minor Capital Improvement schemes continues to be fairly tight, although Mr Beattie said that some additional funding has been secured for minor improvements on the trunk network.

He said: "The Division continues to get many requests for improvements large and small, so priorities have to be set. Accident reduction, encouraging the use of transport other than private car, and meeting established traffic and pedestrian needs continue to attract a high priority."

Mr Beattie also gave details of Roads Service’s winter service procedures and salting routes. He informed Council that Roads Service has completed a review, the details of which were in the report, and that the recommendations are to be implemented during the early part of this winter season.