Roads Service Invest Over Ł5 Million In Strabane

4 July 2006
ROADS SERVICE INVEST OVER Ł5 MILLION IN STRABANE
Capital and maintenance investment totalling over Ł5 million is planned for Strabane in the year ahead.
Speaking to Strabane District Council, Divisional Roads Manager Pat Doherty, said: "The schemes which will be taken forward in 2006/07 include the replacement of Glenroan Bridge, footways at Ligford Road, Plumbridge and Keery Road, Magheramason, and completion of the resurfacing schemes at B50 Drumquin Road, Castlederg and Melmount Road, Victoria Bridge.
"Most road users appreciate that making this sort of improvement can't be done without some disruption to traffic. Roads Service is, however, 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 and, where possible, by avoiding peak traffic times,'' said Mr Doherty.
"Roads 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.
On the capital side, Strabane Bypass Stage 3 is the most significant Strategic Road Improvement (SRI) scheme in the district. Route options are presently being developed to select a preferred option. It is expected that this work will be complete in September 2006. I hope to bring our preferred option line to Council and hope to hold a public exhibition in Autumn 2006. The other SRI scheme in the district is the A5 Strabane-Lifford Link road. Development of this scheme is being led by our partners, Donegal County Council and the National Roads Authority (NRA), and is currently at detailed design stage.
In the last three years a total of some Ł735 million has been spent on developing and maintaining the road network in Northern Ireland - some Ł495 million on revenue activities including maintenance with a further some Ł240 million on capital. Over the next ten years the draft Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland (ISNI) envisages that some Ł1.9 billion will be invested in road building subject to the availability of resources in future budget rounds, economic appraisal and statutory approvals. Some Ł166 million has also been allocated to Roads Structural Maintenance in the three years to 2007/08. When assessing figures for any year it is important to see these figures over a cycle. Safety is always and will remain the top priority.
Mr Doherty said that in the Strabane 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.
Mr Doherty informed the Council that the Department for Regional Development will be taking over the current PSNI responsibilities for parking enforcement this autumn.
He also took the opportunity to highlight some of the schemes already completed in 2005/06: improvements works were completed on the A5 Melmount Road at its junction with Peacock Road near Sion Mills and at Killymore Road, Newtownstewart.
Significant improvements were carried out at Monaghan's Bridge between Newtownstewart and Drumquin and also at Lifford Bridge.
Resurfacing schemes were also carried out on B72 Castlegore Road, Castlederg, Dublin Street, Newtownstewart and the B50 Drumquin Road, Castlederg from the B72 to Garvetagh.
Media queries to: Paddy Cullen or Emma Flynn Davies, Department for Regional Development, Press Office, Tel: 028 9054 0007

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