Views Sought On The A6 Belfast To Londonderry Route

6 June 2005
VIEWS SOUGHT ON THE A6 BELFAST TO LONDONDERRY ROUTE
Roads Service has invited comments from the public about further dualling of the A6 Belfast to Londonderry route.
Roads Service is currently planning to upgrade the section of the A6 Belfast to Derry route, between the western end of the M22 motorway at Randalstown, and the Castledawson roundabout, to dual carriageway standard. The A6 is part of the North Western Key Transport Corridor, connecting Belfast to Londonderry, via Toome, Maghera and Dungiven.
A Roads Service spokesman said:"The A6 route is of great strategic importance to Northern Ireland, connecting the two principal cities of Belfast and Derry. The upgrading will bring benefits to road users and enhance economic links between the two cities.
"In the past few years, some Ł25m has been invested on the A6 route, on schemes, such as the Toome bypass, as well as on overtaking lanes at Burntollet, Glenshane, Curran, Munreery (north of Foreglen) and a scheme to the north of the Castledawson Roundabout."
The first public consultation for the current project was held in February 2005. This produced valuable feedback for Roads Service and the consultants working on the scheme.
Following some additional work carried out in the light of the comments and suggestions received, Roads Service will hold a second public consultation exhibition in Toome House, Toome, later this month.
At this event, details will be available on an additional possible alignment on the Randalstown to Toome section and on a variant to one of the possible alignments on the Toome to Castledawson section.

The public consultation exhibition will be open from 3.00pm to 9.00pm on Wednesday 15 June and from 11.00am to 9.00pm on Thursday 16 June.
Feedback from this event will be considered and will help to inform Roads Service on the selection of a ‘Preferred Route Option’.

A Roads Service spokesman said: "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."
Visitors to the exhibition will be able to view the alignment options and to express their views or preferences. 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, preferably to reach Roads Service by 1July 2005. Late returns will, however, be accepted for a period.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Media queries to: Emma Flynn Davies, Press Office, Department for Regional Development, Tel 028 9054 0007

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