News Release Page Title

21 February 2005

ROADS SERVICE CONSULT ON PROPOSALS TO MINIMISE DISRUPTION FOR THE M1/WESTLINK SCHEME

Roads Service today presented details of the measures that are being proposed to minimise disruption to road users during the second phase of the improvement works to M1 and Westlink to a combined audience from the Freight Transport Association, Road Haulage Association, Port of Belfast and IBEC-CBI Joint Business Council.

Mr Joe Drew, Divisional Manager for Roads Service, Eastern Division, said:

"A civil engineering project of this scale, along a very confined site, will undoubtedly cause disruption. Roads Service is fully aware of the importance of this road link to road users and is planning a range of measures to minimise any disruption as far as possible.

"We will continue consultations with the official representatives from the business haulage industries and Roads Service are pleased to engage with this wider audience to explain what we are doing. This presentation today builds on the recent initiative announced by the Lord Mayor and supported by Roads Service to improve co-ordination among the many major infrastructure improvement projects to be carried out in Belfast over the next few years."

The second phase of the M1/Westlink Project is due to commence in early 2006.

The Temporary Traffic Management Strategy for the Construction Phase of M1 Westlink is based on the view that diversion of the 65,000 vehicles, that use the road every day, is not a realistic alternative, as all the associated routes on this corridor are already at capacity in the peak hours.

During the contract, measures to manage traffic through the site will include the maintenance of at least two traffic lanes in each direction during the works. The contractor will also be encouraged to work during off-peak times and the existing bus lane towards the city will also be maintained.

Other issues that are being progressed to minimise the impact of the scheme include:

  1. designation and signing of alternative routes;
  2. restriction of other planned road works on associated routes into Belfast;
  3. acceleration of improvement works on alternative routes;
  4. investigation of a temporary Park and Ride facility;
  5. additional CCTV coverage;
  6. signalisation of Stockman’s Lane Roundabout at the start of the contract;
  7. regular travel information using variable message signs, media reports, the trafficwatchni website and telephone line and direct e-mailing to major employers and transport organisations;
  8. pre-scheme advice and publicity, including the use of public transport.
  9. liaison with Translink to explore the possibility of providing additional capacity on the M1/Westlink corridor into Belfast.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The M1/Westlink improvements will be funded by the private sector using a Design, Build, Finance and Operate (DBFO) form of contract.

This contract will also include the widening of the M2 between Sandyknowes and Greencastle, as well as the provision of slip-roads onto the M2 at Antrim Area Hospital.

The M1/Westlink Project, costing £75 million, will involve:

    1. Widening the M1 between Black’s Road and Broadway to a dual three lane motorway;
    2. Construction of an underpass at Broadway;
    3. Widening Westlink between Broadway and Divis Street to a dual three lane carriageway;
    4. Construction a partial underpass at Grosvenor Road;
    5. Bus priority measures between Broadway and Roden Street;
    6. Pedestrian / cycle facilities between Broadway and Grosvenor Road;
    7. Bridge upgrading and Improvement to Stockman’s Lane.

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