28 October 2004
ROADS SERVICE INVESTS £4.5 MILLION IN NEWRY AND MOURNE
£4.5 million is being spent on structural road maintenance in Newry and Mourne District Council area, this year. The figure was revealed by Divisional Roads Manager, Mr John White, as he presented DRD Roads Service’s autumn report to the council.
Mr White said: "The level of investment in Newry 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 city and District.
He said: "Improvement works are substantially completed on the A2 Ballindoalty Corner. A traffic-calming scheme has also been completed at Iveagh Crescent, Newry. A major traffic management scheme, comprising the signalisation of junctions on the A1, William Street, Newry, was completed in May 2004.
"Resurfacing schemes have been completed on the Armagh Road, Newry, Fathom Line, Newry, Patrick Street, Newry, Blaney Road, Newtownhamilton, Greenan Road, Newry, Benagh Road, Newry and Keady Road, Newtownhamilton. Resurfacing of the A2 dual carriageway, between Warrenpoint and Newry, is currently underway."
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 Newry and Mourne:
"The A29 Dundalk Road/Cullyhanna Road, Newtownhamilton, will be improved by carriageway realignment, forward visibility improvement and junction visibility improvement. Kitty’s Corner, Kilkeel, will be improved by carriageway realignment, junction improvement and footway provision. The Sandbank Road/Kilkeel Road junction, Hilltown, will be improved by sightline improvements. The B8 Hilltown Road, Newry, will be improved by carriageway realignment. The A37 Concession Road at Wards Corner, will be improved by carriageway realignment and forward visibility improvements. 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 also updated the meeting on progress of major works on the A1 road.
He said: "Work on the A1, from Loughbrickland to Beechhill, is progressing well and although there has been some delay, due to the very significant archaeological find, I anticipate that we will shortly be back on programme, with work due for completion in early 2006.
"Tenders have been invited for design and construction of the A1 Newry to Dundalk project, and I anticipate work starting early next year.
"I also anticipate publication of the Environmental Statement and Direction Order, for the A1, Beechhill to Cloghogue project, before the end of the year, with public inquiries likely around March next year."
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.
Click here to print this press release.
