Date set for new motorway link road

Councillors on Lisburn's planning committee will be given details when they hear from the Roads Service on Monday night, but the Regional Development minister Conor Murphy has confirmed that subject to successful completion of the normal statutory processes and availability of funding the scheme is estimated for delivery between 2014 and 2018.

As well as removing the last obstacle on the road linking Belfast and Dublin, the link would tackle the lengthy delays experienced by commuters around Hillsborough roundabout during the rush hour. Recently it was confirmed that up to 30% of drivers heading north on the A1 in the morning are using the village as a 'rat run' to try and avoid the tailbacks.

"This scheme is being developed to address the existing congestion issues on the M1 and the M1/A1 junction which in turn forms part of the Eastern Seaboard Corridor between Larne, Belfast and on to Dublin" the minister said.

"It is anticipated that the proposed works will include grade separation of the roundabout junction on the A1 at Hillsborough. This will aid strategic traffic by reducing journey times and minimise the potential for delays in the Sprucefield area."

Roads Service has appointed Scott Wilson to develop scheme proposals as part of a 10 year Forward Planning Schedule.

Their remit will include consideration of a range of options to cope with extra traffic and take account of development land potential.

Once scheme plans are formulated they will be subject to public consultation.

Speaking ahead of Monday's meeting the minister said over 6 million would be invested in Lisburn on other schemes during this year.

"Roads Service is committed to ensuring that it can make best use of our resources and continue to deliver quality public services," said Mr Murphy.

Deputy Divisional Roads Manager, Bertie Ellison said: "A wide range of local schemes have been successfully planned and delivered in the Lisburn City Council area in the past 12 months. These include signalised junction provision at Main Street/Meeting Street, Moira; a pelican crossing and footway link on Pond Park Road at Finch Gardens; village gateway treatment at Hillsborough and asphalt resurfacing at Mercer Street/Hillhall Road, Wardsborough Road and Graham Gardens.

"The ever tightening public expenditure environment in this current year is however challenging. Despite this, I remain committed to developing a programme of high priority road improvement and maintenance schemes for the City, so that these can be delivered as resources permit."

Lagan Valley Alliance MLA Trevor Lunn has said it was essential that work on the motorway connection for Lisburn, and other projects planned for the area, go ahead.

"It's good to see that these are in the forward planning schedule and have not been discarded due to recent cuts," said Mr Lunn. "I would like to see the motorway connection scheme going ahead in a timely fashion. Lisburn and the surrounding areas really needs a project like this to help ease traffic problems."

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