28 February 2005
PUBLIC VIEWS SOUGHT ON ROAD IMPOVEMENT SCHEME FOR THE A26 BELFAST TO COLERAINE ROUTE
Minister of State, John Spellar, MP, today invited comments from the public about the proposed A26/M2 Ballee Road East Scheme, on the A26 Belfast to Coleraine route.
DRD Roads Service is preparing a scheme to provide a direct dual carriageway link from the Ballee Road East dual carriageway to the M2 Ballymena Bypass, passing under the existing Larne Road roundabout bridges.
The Minister said: "The A26 route is of great strategic importance to Northern Ireland, connecting Belfast, Antrim, Ballymena, Ballymoney and Coleraine. Indeed, the importance of this road was recognised by the Regional Development Strategy, when the A26/A37/A2 route was designated as a Key Transport Corridor.
"In the past few years, a significant amount of money has been invested on the A26 route. Completed schemes have included the dualling of the Antrim to Ballymena road, dualling at Windyhall, as well as the provision of overtaking lanes at Glenlough and Ballymoney. A further scheme to produce an overtaking opportunity at Ballinaloob is due to be completed later this year.
"As part of the assessment process, it is important that local people and other interested parties are informed about the scheme and have the opportunity to comment. The upgrading of this Key Transport Corridor will bring benefits to road users and enhance economic links between Belfast and Coleraine."
Roads Service will be holding a public exhibition in the Development and Leisure Office, Ballymena Showgrounds, Warden Street, Ballymena, on the evening of Tuesday 8th March from 6.30pm until 9.00pm and on Wednesday 9th March, from 11.00am to 9.00pm.
The public exhibition will detail the progress on the planning of this strategic scheme, which has examined environmental and economic impact issues, traffic effects, and the subsequent effect on the Ballee Road Roundabout.
Visitors to the exhibition will be able to view the scheme and will have the opportunity to express and record their views, by completing a questionnaire. Completed questionnaires may either be left with Roads Service staff at the exhibition, or 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 21 March 2005.
Roads Service will take into account the comments received from the public, in the final detailed design of the scheme.
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