News Release Page Title

14 March 2007

A2 SHORE ROAD, GREENISLAND PUBLICATION OF STATUTORY ORDERS

The Statutory Orders for the £41m A2 Shore Road Greenisland Scheme have been published, announced Divisional Roads Manager, Tom McCourt,

There will be a two day public exhibition of the proposals in the Clarion Hotel, Carrickfergus starting on 21 March 2007 (3:30 - 9:00 pm) and Thursday 22 March 2007 (10:00 am - 9:00 pm). During the exhibition Roads Service officials will be available to respond to queries and explain the details of the proposals.

The Statutory Orders published are in three parts:

  1. The Notice of Intention to Make a Direction Order, which details proposed changes to the road;

  2. The Environmental Statement, which considers the environmental impact of the proposed scheme and sets out mitigation measures;

  3. The Notice of Intention to Make a Vesting Order, which details the land requirements for the proposed scheme.

Following publication on 14 March 2007 there will be a consultation period ending on 23 April 2007. During this time members of the public can give their comments of support or objection to the proposals.

Mr McCourt said: “The A2 is a vital link, carrying up to 30,000 vehicles a day, between Belfast and Carrickfergus. The 2.4 km section at Greenisland has only one lane in each direction and this causes long delays, particularly at peak times. Roads Service has developed a proposal for provision of a dual carriageway between Jordanstown and Seapark to improve this section of the A2. The proposal involves widening of the existing Shore Road from the University of Ulster to Station Road, Greenisland, followed by a new inland route from this junction to Seapark.”

Mr McCourt added: “The publication of the Statutory Orders provides the opportunity for formal comment on the road improvement proposals. The exhibition will show the details of the proposed improvement works and officers will be on hand to answer any questions about the scheme.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

  • Copies of the Draft Orders are available for inspection at;

  • Roads Service Headquarters, Room 2-01 Clarence Court, 10-18 Adelaide Street, Belfast

  • Roads Service Eastern Division, Hydebank, 4 Hospital Road Belfast

  • Carrickfergus Borough Council, Carrickfergus Museum & Civic Centre, Antrim Street, Carrickfergus, and

  • Newtownabbey Borough Council, Mossley Mill, Newtownabbey.

  • The Regional Transportation Strategy, approved by the Assembly in 2002, confirms the need to address bottlenecks on the strategic highway network.

  • The Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan 2015, published in November 2004, identifies the Greenisland section of the A2 as a bottleneck on the Belfast Metropolitian Area strategic network, which causes significant congestion and long delays on this corridor at peak times.

  • The A2 Shore Road Greenisland scheme is included in the Roads Service Major Works preparation Pool, at an estimated cost of £41.1 million.

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

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