Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has set out TransportNI’s progress on investment totalling £4.6million on road maintenance and improvement schemes in the Down District Council area this year.
Speaking ahead of this evening’s meeting between TransportNI and Down Council, the Minister said: “A wide range of road improvement and maintenance schemes are planned or already complete in the Down District.
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Down District Council hosted a presentation from TransportNI.[/caption]“The autumn round of Council meetings is a timely opportunity for Councils to discuss potential schemes and priorities.
“The impact of current resource budget pressures on my Department is affecting routine maintenance of the road network, however capital budgets remain unaffected. Departmental officials will continue to develop resurfacing and traffic management schemes, to enhance safety, to improve traffic flow and provide measures for pedestrians and cyclists.
“Officials from my Department are currently engaging with the Chief Executives of the new Councils to ensure the transition from 26 to 11 Councils enables us to continue our good working relationships with councillors and the new Councils.”
At the meeting, Southern Divisional Manager TransportNI, Mr Simon Richardson, outlined a number of improvement and maintenance schemes currently planned or completed. He said: “I am pleased to note planned carriageway improvements on the Loughinisland Road/Tareesh Lane, Annacloy. This scheme comprises of localised carriageway widening as well as road realignment adjacent to the junction.”
“A significant carriageway resurfacing programme is progressing with schemes recently completed at locations including A24 Newcastle Road, Seaforde; A21 Main Street, Saintfield; Fountain Street, Downpatrick and Shimna Road, Newcastle.”
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