News Release Page Title

6 June 2005

ROADS SERVICE INVEST £1.7 MILLION IN CRAIGAVON

Investment totalling almost £1.7 million is planned for Craigavon this year, said Roads Service Divisional Roads Manager, John White.

Speaking as he delivered the Roads Service Annual Report to Craigavon Borough Council, Mr White said: "This level of investment is indicative of the substantial capital investment throughout Southern Division and indeed the whole of Northern Ireland.

"The widening of the A27 Bann River Bridge, Portadown, is currently five months into an 11 month contract, with completion programmed for early December 2005. The Malcolm Road to Gilford Road link design and Environmental Impact Study are progressing. Subject to successful planning, land acquisition and availability of finance, works could commence in 2006/07."

Mr White welcomed the continued high level of investment in local transport and safety measures in Craigavon, which includes:

  1. the A3 Dollingstown Crossroads;
  2. the A50 Gilford Road at Drumlin Hill, Portadown; and
  3. the B2 Charlestown Road junction with Derrytrasna Road.

These works will be accompanied by several smaller local transport and safety measures, as well as a programme of resurfacing and surface dressing schemes.

"Most road users appreciate that making this sort of improvement can’t be done without some disruption to traffic. But Roads Service is making every effort to keep disruption to a minimum by completing as many major schemes as possible during the summer months when there is generally less traffic and contractors can take advantage of daylight hours.

"Roads Service will be making every effort to give motorists advance warning of roadworks through signage and information prior to works. There will also be updated information on our website and radio traffic reports,’’ he said.

Mr White also took the opportunity to highlight some of the schemes completed in 2004/05. Improvement works have been completed, including:

  1. the C155 Knock Road junction with Bleary Road, Craigavon;
  2. the B2 Silverwood Road junction with C706 Kiln Road;
  3. the B2 Seagoe Road junction with Charlestown Road and C356 Dunkirk Road, Bleary, was substantially completed in March 2005; and
  4. traffic-calming schemes have been completed at Moureview Road/Pollock Drive, Lurgan; Francis Street, Lurgan; Charles Street, Portadown; B2 at Wolf Island Terrace, Derrytrasna and Killicomaine Drive, Portadown.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

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

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