News Release Page Title

27 June 2005

ROADS SERVICE INVEST £1.5 MILLION IN ARDS AREA

Investment totalling £1.5 million is planned for Ards this year, said Roads Service Traffic and Network Development Manager, Bertie Ellison.

Speaking as he delivered the Department for Regional Development’s Roads Service Annual Report to Ards Borough Council, Mr Ellison, said: "This level of investment is indicative of the substantial capital investment throughout the Southern Division and indeed the whole of Northern Ireland.

"The Comber by-pass landscaping contract began early in 2005 and is now substantially complete."

Mr Ellison welcomed the continued high level of investment in local transport and safety measures in Ards for 2005/06, which includes:

  • the proposed link road from Comber Road to Blair Mayne Road South, Newtownards;
  • A21 Comber Road, Ballygowan at the Brae;
  • A20 Rowreagh Road/Gransha Road, Kircubbin; and
  • B178 Hillsborough Road, Comber near Ballymaleddy 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 also be making every effort to give motorists advance warning of roadworks through signage and information prior to works. There will be updated information on our website and radio traffic reports,’’ he said.

Mr Ellison also took the opportunity to highlight some of the schemes completed in 2004/05. Improvement works that have been completed include:

  • the A22 Comber by-pass/Glen Link;
  • the B172 Moyvilla Road, Ballyblack Road East;
  • the C261 Harbour Road, Portavogie is now substantially complete;
  • the C367 Moss Road/Ballykeigle Road, Ballygowan, C271 Kilcarn Road, Carrickmannon and C252 Ballyblack Road East, Carrowdore schemes have commenced and are being staged over two financial years; and
  • traffic-calming schemes have been completed at Brentwood Way, Newtownards; Moss Road/Carrickmannon Road, Ballygowan; Balloo village and at Lisbane.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

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

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