15 June 2006
OVER £2.7 MILLION TO BE INVESTED IN NORTH DOWN
Capital and maintenance investment totalling £2.7 million is planned for North Down Borough Council area in the year ahead.
Speaking to North Down Borough Council, Divisional Roads Manager Dr Andrew Murray said: "The schemes which will be taken forward include a realigned junction and roundabout provision at Six Road Ends, Bangor.
"Most road users appreciate that making this sort of improvement cannot 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 on the roads. Contractors can also take advantage of longer daylight hours during the summer months and will, where possible, avoid peak traffic times,'' said Dr Murray.
"Road Service will be making every effort to give motorists prior warning of roadworks, through advance signage and information. There will also be updated information on our website and radio traffic reports,'' he said.
In the last three years, a total of some £735 million has been spent on developing and maintaining the road network in Northern Ireland - some £495 million on revenue activities, including maintenance, with a further £240 million on improvement works. Over the next 10 years, the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland envisages that some £1.9 billion will be invested in road building, subject to the availability of resources in future budget rounds, economic appraisals and statutory approvals. Some £166 million has also been allocated to Roads Structural Maintenance in the three years to 2007/08.
Dr Murray said that in the North Down Borough area, the spend on defect repairs, street lighting, grass cutting, winter service and other safety related activities would be maintained at present levels.
Councillors were reminded of the decision, following the Review of Public Administration, that the responsibility for the maintenance, management and development of local roads will transfer to the seven new local authorities in Spring 2009. The local road network consists of all roads except motorways and trunk roads and comprises about 23,700 km of the 25,000 km of public roads throughout Northern Ireland.
"Roads Service is currently assessing the implications of this decision and identifying how it can help to facilitate the smooth transfer of local roads responsibilities. The associated financial, staff and other resource consequences will require careful consideration," he said.
Dr Murray also informed the Council that the Department for Regional Development would be taking over the current PSNI responsibilities for parking enforcement throughout Northern Ireland, later this year.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Media queries to: Paddy Cullen or Emma Flynn Davies, Department for Regional Development, Press Office, Tel: 028 9054 0007
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