Link roads consideration ‘must be a priority’

by
Micheal McKenna
June 28, 2015

Increased pressure is to be brought to bear in the quest to see an Armagh bypass constructed.

Roads infrastructure was high on the agenda during a recent sitting of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council’s strategy and community planning committee.

The new council has been engaged in an exercise to review and refresh the Armagh City Masterplan and the Craigavon Integrated Development Framework.

A workshop has already been held in relation to the Local Development Plan for the new council area.

And speaking at the community planning committee, SF Councillor Curran suggested that a transportation analysis was required for the entire council area.

Ulster Unionist Councillor Sam Nicholson said the former Armagh City and District Council had discussed proposals for a bypass with the Minister for Regional Development Danny Kennedy.

And he requested that this be included in the Masterplan, saying consideration of a bypass for Armagh should be “given priority”.

DUP Alderman Freda Donnelly said there should not be a piecemeal approach.

She said link roads had been investigated for a long time and asked that a meeting be held with Mr Kennedy to discuss the way forward.

Alderman Donnelly referred to increased traffic congestion in Armagh due to roadworks of late and said something needed to be done.

Councillor Curran suggested councillors should meet first to discuss the Development Plan so that a joint approach could be made to a meeting with the Minister.

Councillor Nicholson said he had met with the Minister at the end of May, together with concerned traders and Transport NI.

Discussion was held regarding a one-way system in The Mall and the Minister had agreed to review this, as well as a bypass, although he said funding was a big issue.

In relation to the Craigavon Framework, it was agreed to have The Paul Hogarth Company’,with JMP Consulting, carry out a local transportation analysis of Carn and Seagoe Industrial Estates.

An update on the Armagh Masterplan will now be brought back to the council’s planning and regulatory services committee when it meets on Wednesday of next week, July 8.

The consultant team leading the review will be present to outline progress.

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