News Release Page Title

22 June 2005

ROADS SERVICE INVESTS OVER £1 MILLION IN BALLYMENA

Capital investment totalling £1,185,000 is planned for Ballymena this year, said Roads Service Divisional Roads Manager, Dr Andrew Murray.

Speaking to Ballymena Borough Council, as he delivered the Roads Service Spring Report to the Council, Dr Murray said that this level of investment is indicative of the substantial capital investment throughout Northern Ireland.

The schemes that will be taken forward include:

  • the provision of improved sightlines on the Ballyconnelly Road at both the Glenhugh Road and Garvaghy Road junctions;
  • the construction of approximately 230 metres of footway on Fenaghy Road, Cullybackey; and
  • the start of improvements to the Woodtown Road, Ballymena, at the Old Cullybackey Road junction. This would hopefully be the start of the phased upgrading of Woodtown Road through to the Cullybackey Road junction.

Dr Murray welcomed the continued high level of investment in local transport and safety measures in Ballymena which includes the introduction of traffic calming measures in two areas of the town - Chichester Park and Warden Street/Suffolk Street areas.

Following on from works recently completed in Ballymoney Street to implement the measures agreed by the Town Centre Working Group, it is intended to carry out improvements in Mill Street within this financial year. The installation of a new pelican crossing at Gilmore Street is also due for completion in the near future.

"Most road users appreciate that making this sort of improvement cannot be done without some disruption to traffic. However, 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 the longer daylight hours and, where possible, avoid peak traffic times," said Dr Murray.

"Road Service will 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.

Dr Murray also took the opportunity to highlight some of the schemes completed in 2004/05.

  • The provision of a right-turn lane at the junction of Ballynafie Road and Largy Road.
  • Sight visibility splays on Largy Road at the Loughbeg Road junction.
  • The construction of approximately 270 metres of footway at Parkgate Road, in the village of Connor.
  • Collision remedial measures were introduced on Doury Road, Ballymena and Fenaghy Road, Galgorm.
  • Resurfacing work carried out on the A26 Balee Road East and on the A42 Carnlough Road.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

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

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