18 October 2004
ROADS SERVICE TO SPEND OVER £2 MILLION IN ARDS BOROUGH
Over £2 million is being spent on structural road maintenance in Ards Borough this year. The figure was revealed by Divisional Roads Manager, Mr John White, as he presented DRD Roads Service’s autumn report to Ards Borough Council.
Mr White said: "The level of investment in Ards is indicative of the continued high levels of investment across Northern Ireland, that once again sees Roads Service committing some £70m towards structural maintenance. It is worth noting that the vast bulk of this money, some 85% in fact, is being earmarked for work on non-trunk roads, which form the bulk of the road network in this area."
Mr White updated councillors on the progress of minor works schemes in the borough and said:
"Improvement works are substantially completed on the Comber Bypass/Glen Link Phase 1, Cooks Cove to Boyds Avenue, Kircubbin, and are completed at Andersons Hill, Newtownards. A traffic-calming scheme has also been completed at Brentwood Way, Newtownards.
"Major resurfacing schemes have been completed on the Belfast Road, Newtownards; Rowreagh Road, Kircubbin; Cardy Road, Carrowdore; Cloughey Road, Portaferry, at Nun’s Bridge; Hogstown Road, Newtownards and at Kerr’s Road, Newtownards. Resurfacing works are underway on the A20 Portaferry Road, at Cunningburn."
At the meeting Mr White discussed the priorities for road improvement schemes in 2004/05 and 2005/ 06. He said: "Subject to the availability of land and funding, road improvement schemes will be carried out at the following locations in the Ards Borough:
The A21 Comber Road, Ballygowan at The Brae will be improved by provision of better sight lines and upgrading of two junctions. Schemes to provide enhanced sightlines will be carried out at the junctions of Roewreagh Road/Gransha Road, Kircubbin and Moss Road/Ballykeigle Road, Ballygowan. A scheme to provide enhanced forward sightlines and minor carriageway improvements will be carried out at Hillsborough Road, Comber, near Ballymaleddy Road. These works will be accompanied by several smaller local transport and safety measures, as well as a substantial resurfacing and surface dressing programme."
Mr White thanked the council for its positive role in helping Roads Service develop its Local Transport and Safety Measures Programme.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- Structural maintenance means the upkeep of the foundations and surfaces of roads and footways. It includes activities such as resurfacing, surface dressing, patching and rural road drainage.
- For media queries, contact Paddy Cullen or Ann Williamson at the DRD Press Office on (028) 9054 0007.
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