Public Views Sought On Further Dualling For The A6 Belfast To Londonderry Route

8 February 2005
PUBLIC VIEWS SOUGHT ON FURTHER DUALLING FOR THE A6 BELFAST TO LONDONDERRY ROUTE
Minister of State, John Spellar, MP, today invited comments from the public about further dualling of the A6 Belfast to Londonderry route.

DRD Roads Service is preparing a scheme to provide a dual carriageway as the route between the western end of the M22 Motorway at Randalstown and the Castledawson roundabout.

The Minister said: "The A6 route is of great strategic importance to Northern Ireland, connecting the two principal cities of Belfast and Londonderry. This was recognised by the Regional Development Strategy, when the route was designated as a Key Transport Corridor.
"In the past few years, some Ł25m has been invested on the A6 route, including the Toome Bypass, as well as overtaking lanes at Burntollet, Glenshane, Curran and most recently at Munreery (north of Foreglen) and a scheme north of the Castledawson Roundabout, which are both nearing completion.
"As part of the assessment process to choose a route, it is important that local people and other interested parties are informed about the scheme and have the opportunity to comment on the proposals. The upgrading of this Key Transport Corridor will bring benefits to road users and enhance economic links between Belfast and Londonderry."

Roads Service will be holding a public exhibition in Toome House, in the village of Toome, on Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 February, from 11.00am to 9.00pm.

The public exhibition will detail the progress on the planning of this Ł34m dualling scheme. To date, eight route alignment options have been considered for the section of carriageway, between Randalstown and Toome, and 11 route alignment options for the section between Toome and Castledawson. The design team has analysed these options and proposed a reduced number of preferred alignments that will be taken forward to the next stage of the appraisal process.

Visitors to the exhibition will be able to view the alignments of these three alternative routes and to express their views. In the final selection of the preferred alignment, environmental and economic impact issues will be considered, as well as traffic effects.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to record their comments at the exhibition by completing a questionnaire. Alternatively, completed questionnaires may be sent by post to the Strategic Road Improvement Manager, Roads Service – Northern Division, County Hall, Castlerock Road, Coleraine BT51 3HS to reach Roads Service before 28 February 2005.

Roads Service will take into account the comments of the public from the public exhibition, in the selection of the final alignment.

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