Kennedy updates on Coleraine’s £4.8million roads investment

Speaking last week, the Minister said: “A wide range of road improvement and maintenance schemes is planned or already complete in the Coleraine Council area.

“In March 2012 Roads Service published the Environmental Statement, draft Vesting Order, draft Direction Order and draft Stopping-Up of Private Access Order for the proposed seven kilometre dual carriageway between Glarryford crossroads and Drones Road. This initiated the formal consultation period for the scheme.

“Although my Department received only a small number of objections to the scheme, I decided it was important to hold a Public Inquiry to discuss and debate the issues of contention. The Public Inquiry will commence on 5 November 2012 at the Tullyglass House Hotel in Ballymena.

“Along the A29 Ring Road in Coleraine the existing footway has been widened between the railway bridge at ASDA and Ballycastle Road roundabout, a distance of 830m.

“The priorities and constraints placed on funding levels by Budget 2010 means the programme of local transport and safety measures in 2012/13 and 2013/14 is under considerable pressure. However, while indications were that funding for resurfacing works would be very limited this year, a successful in year bid by my Department has improved this position considerably. I remain committed to delivering these important schemes and will continue to submit strong bids for additional funding at each opportunity.

“The autumn round of Council meetings is a timely opportunity for Councils to discuss potential schemes and priorities for incoming and future years,” Mr Kennedy.

At a meeting between Roads Service and Coleraine Council, Divisional Roads Manager, Deidre Mackle highlighted a number of improvement and maintenance schemes currently planned or progressed.

“It is proposed to upgrade the signalised Waterside Gyratory by the introduction of a MOVA (Microprocessor Optimised Vehicle Actuation) system with associated vehicle detection equipment. This system provides enhanced traffic responsive signal operation which will improve the performance and capacity of the junction leading to reduced queues and delays. Subject to the availability of finance it is intended to introduce the changes later this financial year.

“A significant carriageway resurfacing programme is progressing with schemes completed at locations including Millburn Road, Lodge Road Roundabout, Cloyfin Road, Agivey Road and Ballyrashane Road,” added Ms Mackle.