Newry, Mourne and Down District Council receives an update on road infrastructure projects for 2024

Members of the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council received an update from the Department for Infrastructure regarding road maintenance and improvement works in the council area, for the years 2023/24 and 2024/25.

During a meeting on Monday 23 September, Divisional Roads Manager Mr Mark McPeak addressed the council, stating:

"Northern Ireland's road network is our largest and most valuable strategic infrastructure asset delivering every day for people to go about their daily lives. It is recognised that there is more to do to improve and protect our vital road network and the Department is maximising its resources to deliver positive engineering impacts. The Department's 2024/25 budget allocation is challenging however we will continue to prioritise essential frontline services. The opening Capital budget for structural maintenance is £89 million which falls significantly short of our funding requirements to allow for the most effective delivery of our priority resurfacing projects, roadside stability, and drainage projects. The Department has operated within a constrained Resource budget for many years which has meant the continuation of a Limited-Service policy for routine road maintenance activities such as defect repair, grass cutting, and gully emptying."

Mr McPeak acknowledged the challenges posed by the 2024-25 budget but affirmed the Department's commitment to advancing local transport, safety schemes, and maintenance programs aimed at improving road safety.

Mr McPeak continued:

"Currently, a full street lighting repair service will remain in effect during 2024/25. We have also completed a series of street lighting upgrade schemes including at Cardinal O'Fiaich Square, Crossmaglen.Over the next year, in the Newry, Mourne and Down area, we plan to take forward the upgrade of traffic light signals at the Market Street / Church Street junction in Downpatrick, a traffic signal junction upgrade incorporating Puffin facilities at the Belfast Road / Main Street / Todds Hill junction in Saintfield, and a dual toucan upgrade at William Street in Newry.

"Recently, we completed a carriageway and footway resurfacing scheme on Church Street in Downpatrick and resurfacing on Dublin Road in Kilcoo and Shore Road in Strangford. Additional resurfacing schemes are planned across the district, including the Rathfriland Road Roundabout in Newry, Shore Road in Rostrevor, and Mountain Road in Lislea.

"The Department is committed to investing in pedestrian and cycling measures to provide greater Active Travel choices particularly for shorter everyday journeys. The Department is developing a Northern Ireland wide Active Travel Delivery Plan that includes an update of our policies and design guidance for Active Travel as well as network plans for our larger towns and cities. We aim to consult the public on this plan later in 2024. In the meantime, we are continuing to deliver improved Active Travel schemes and have completed pedestrian measures at Camlough Road in Bessbrook, as well as Main Street in Castlewellan, and Belfast Road in Ballynahinch."

Mr McPeak added: "Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd announced in July that the A1 Junctions Phase 2 upgrade scheme is moving to the procurement stage, with further advancement contingent upon Business Case approval, completion of statutory procedures, and securing funding."

In conclusion, Mr McPeak said:

"These projects the Department is delivering will bring significant benefits to both the local community and commuters throughout the Newry Mourne and Down District Council area."

Notes to editors:

1. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: [email protected]
2. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
3. Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra and on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure on LinkedIn at DfILinkedIn

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