Public Views Sought On A Further Upgrade To A2 Londonderry To Coleraine Route

9 February 2005
PUBLIC VIEWS SOUGHT ON A FURTHER UPGRADE TO A2 LONDONDERRY TO COLERAINE ROUTE
Minister of State, John Spellar, MP, today invited comments from the public about a further upgrade to the A2, Londonderry to Coleraine road.

Roads Service is preparing a scheme to provide a dual carriageway, between the Maydown roundabout and the City of Derry airport.

The Minister said: "The A2 route is of strategic importance to Northern Ireland, connecting Coleraine, Limavady 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, Ł14 million has been invested on the A2/A37 route, including the Limavady bypass and the Springwell climbing lane. A further climbing lane is to be constructed in the near future at Gortcorbies, and a new roundabout will be provided at the

Dunhill Road/Drumcroon Road junction, near Coleraine.
"As part of the assessment process to choose a route for the proposed dual carriageway, 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 Londonderry, Limavady and Coleraine."

Roads Service will be holding a public exhibition in the White Horse Hotel, Clooney Road, Londonderry, on Tuesday 22 February and Wednesday 23 February, from 11.00 am to 9.00 pm.

The public exhibition will detail the progress on the planning of this

Ł19.8 million dualling scheme. To date, seven alignment options have been considered. The design team has analysed these options and proposed two 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 two alternative route options 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 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 7 March 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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