Seven rural roads in the Armagh area will benefit from a £1,3 million investment over the next three months.
A total of almost 16 kilometres of resurfacing and drainage work will be carried out.
This will centre on the Drumnahavil Road, Armagh; Doohat Road, Derrynoose; Curragh Lane, Keady; Tivnacree Road, Derrynoose; Crossdall Road, Armagh; Hanslough Road, Middletown; and Glassdrummond Road, Derrynoose.
The works are part of the Department for Infrastructure’s Road Recovery Programme.
Work will take place from Monday, January 23, until Monday, March 20 and will last no more than three weeks on any of the seven roads.
A DfI spokesperson said: “Road closures and local diversions will be necessary to help ensure the safety of those using the roads and to facilitate the works. Any closures will be restricted to 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and the roads will be open evenings and weekends.
“Local access for residents and emergency services will be maintained although some minor delays may be experienced.
“Completion of the work by 20 March 2023 is dependent on favourable weather conditions. The Department will keep the public informed of any change. All work will be carried out in line with current public health and safety advice, with safe systems of working in place for staff and contractors.”
SDLP Councillor Thomas O’Hanlon said this “much-needed investment in our rural roads has long been promised and I want to thank the Section Engineer and his team in the Armagh Office for their work in bringing this scheme to this stage”.
He added: “Sometimes it feels like I am never done moaning about these roads, but thankfully it has paid off.
“Some of these works, for example at Drumnahvavil and Tivnacree have been in the pipeline since before the outbreak of Covid-19 so the residents in these areas have been more than patient and I know these works will be very much welcomed.
“In welcoming these works, there are still many local roads in the area that need similar investment such as the Crossnenagh, Rathcumber, Crossbane and Curryhugh Roads in Derrynoose which I have also been lobbying for improvements as well as the Clea and Lower Clea Roads, Drumherney, Knockbane and Drumgreenagh Roads.’
“This is a much-needed investment and I see it as a very good start. I look forward to seeing the works complete and hope to see further announcements made for schemes in the area from the Roads Recovery Fund.”
