A public event to seek views and give an update on the preferred east link road corridor in Armagh could take place before Christmas.
Department for Infrastructure Roads service officials are due to give an update on the plans for both the east link road and the north and west link tonight (Monday).
And they have also been quick to point out that both remain dependant on funding being made available to see them through.
Collectively, to deliver both would cost well in excess of £100 million.
The plan for the east link road will connect the Newry Road to Portadown Road.
The north and west (pictured below) will connect from the Monaghan Road to Portadown Road via Moy Road.
Aside from the matter of money, there are other issues which have delayed the process.
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council is receiving an update courtesy of the Department for Infrastructure’s annual report, being presented to the September meeting on Monday night.
It was following a public information event in June 2014 that the preferred corridor for the proposed east link road was reviewed.
The review included consideration of the preferred corridor emerging further out the Markethill Road, at Edenaveys, and identified “viable alternative options”.
Councillors, in the annual report, are informed that these “are now subject to a stage two assessment before a preferred option can be confirmed”.
This is now in the process of being completed and depending on the outcome from this review “a public event may be scheduled over the coming months”.
But regardless of the course of action, the meeting was informed: “Delivery of the scheme remains subject to clearing the statutory procedures and the availability of funding in future budget settlements.”
The council was also informed that consideration of options for a preferred line and junction strategy based on the ‘out of town’ corridor linking the Portadown Road and Monaghan Road is continuing.
And the annual report adds: “It would not be appropriate to make a decision on the preferred route at this time, pending confirmation of proposals for the Mullinure area Masterplan highlighted in the draft Armagh City Centre Masterplan 2030.”
And as with the east link, the financial situation remains the same.
“Delivery of the scheme remains subject to clearing the statutory procedures and the availability of funding in future budget settlements,” adds the report.
