Study To Identify Preferred Route For Dualling Between Castledawson and Londonderry

21 March 2005
STUDY TO IDENTIFY PREFERRED ROUTE FOR FUTURE DUALLING BETWEEN CASTLEDAWSON AND LONDONDERRY.
Regional Development Minister, John Spellar, today announced the award of a commission to Scott Wilson Ltd to study the possible options for the future dualling of the A6 between Castledawson roundabout and Londonderry.

Speaking at the launch of the Regional Strategic Transport Network Transport Plan in Lisburn, Mr Spellar said:

"Further dualling of the A6 is a high priority, once we have tackled the schemes set out in the RSTN Transport Plan 2015. To be ready for that, I am pleased to announce today that Roads Service has appointed Scott Wilson Ltd to undertake a study to determine the route of any future dual from the outskirts of Londonderry to Castledawson. This will leave us well placed to consider further dualling of the route outside the Plan period, or when finances allow."

The Minister also said:

"This study will also inform the land acquisition for the Dungiven Bypass since, if the dual is to take that route, it would be prudent to buy sufficient land to allow the bypass to be dualled in the future."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

This is the largest study of its kind to be undertaken by Roads Service. The section of route that is the subject of this study, from Castledawson roundabout to Londonderry, is approximately 60 kms. The consultants will carry out an appraisal of the study area and consider a range of potential route corridors for a future dual carriageway road. The work will start in April and is expected to be completed early in 2006. The study will include public consultation on the possible options when they have been identified.

Dualling of this route from Derry to Castledawson will be expensive, estimated to cost around Ł420m at current prices. Unfortunately this could simply not be afforded within the funding for major road schemes envisaged by the Assembly when it approved the RTS.

RSTN TP identifies strategic road improvements up to 2015. The plan, which is published today, acknowledges that further dualling of the A6 will be required outside the RSTN Plan period and indicates that the necessary planning of this work will be undertaken in the plan period.

Currently some 36% of the route is to motorway or dual carriageway standard, and this will rise to 47% when the Randalstown to Castledawson section is dualled over the next few years.

Media enquiries contact Paddy Cullen, DRD Press Office on 028 9054 0817.

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