Over Ł1.4 Million Investment for Roads in Ballymoney Area

1 December 2004
OVER Ł1.4 MILLION INVESTMENT FOR ROADS IN BALLYMONEY AREA
Over Ł1.4 million is being spent on structural road maintenance in the Ballymoney area this year, Principal Engineer, Ms Deidre Mackle, revealed when she presented DRD Roads Service's autumn report to the local District Council.

Introducing the report, Ms Mackle said: "The level of investment in the Ballymoney Council area is indicative of the continued high levels of investment across Northern Ireland that, once again, sees Road Service committing some Ł70m towards structural maintenance. It is worth noting that the vast majority of this money, some 90% in fact, is being earmarked for work on non-trunk roads, which form the bulk of the road network in this area.

In the Ballymoney Council area, Roads Service has earmarked over Ł1.4million for resurfacing works. Asphalt resurfacing of Main Street, Cloughmills, 800 metres of the B16, Kilraughts Road, Dunaghy, 920 metres of the B66, Castlecatt Road, Dervock and 1,150 metres of the B16, Garryduff Road, has been completed."

Ms Mackle also referred to the proposed start, early next year, of a climbing lane on the A26, Frosses Road, at Ballinaloob. She said: "The climbing lane will start at Dunloy Crossroads and continue northwest, towards Ballymoney, for a distance of 1.5km and, when completed, will significantly improve overtaking opportunities for Ballymoney bound traffic."

Ms Mackle continued: "It is also worth pointing out that Roads Service has also secured significantly enhanced funding for local transport and safety measures and this means that in the Ballymoney Council area spending on this particular aspect of our work, which includes work on traffic calming, collision remedial and minor works will increase this year.

"The increase in funding will facilitate the delivery of schemes such as a Ł600,000 roundabout on the Ballymoney bypass, at Kilraughts Road junction, which is due to start in December. Ł50,000 of collision remedial work, involving additional lining and signage, is almost complete on the A44, Drones Road, which has a higher than expected number of collisions."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Structural maintenance includes the upkeep of the foundations and surfaces of roads and footways. It includes activities such as resurfacing, surface dressing, patching and rural road drainage.

Roads Service is spending Ł70m on structural maintenance in 2004/05.

For media queries contact Paddy Cullen or Ann Williamson at DRD Press Office on 028 9054 0007.

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