Minister outlines progress on £7.3 million city and district roads investment

by
Micheal McKenna
November 3, 2014

Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has set out TransportNI’s progress on investment totalling £7.3million on road maintenance and improvement schemes in the Armagh City and District Council area this year.

Speaking ahead of a meeting between tonight, Monday, between TransportNI and Armagh City and District Council, the Minister said: “A wide range of road improvement and maintenance schemes are planned or already complete in the Armagh City and District.

“The autumn round of Council meetings is a timely opportunity for Councils to discuss potential schemes and priorities.

“The impact of current resource budget pressures on my Department is affecting routine maintenance of the road network, however capital budgets remain unaffected. Departmental officials will continue to develop resurfacing and traffic management schemes, to enhance safety, to improve traffic flow and provide measures for pedestrians and cyclists.

“Officials from my Department are currently engaging with the chief executives of the new councils to ensure the transition from 26 to 11 councils enables us to continue our good working relationships with councillors and the new councils.”

At the meeting, Southern Division Network Maintenance Manager, Arnold Hamilton outlined a number of improvement and maintenance schemes currently planned or completed. He said: “I am pleased to note work is complete on the junction upgrade incorporating resurfacing at Friary Road / Dobbin Lane, Armagh. These works are aimed at reducing congestion in Mall West/Barrack Street and the Newry Road area.”

“A significant carriageway resurfacing programme is progressing with schemes recently completed at locations including A3 Irish Street, Armagh from St Malachy’s Church to Monaghan Road; A3 College Hill, Armagh; A3 Monaghan Road, Middletown and two locations on the A28 Gosford Road, Markethill.”

Armagh City and District Sinn Féin Councillor Garath Keating has welcomed the report of the progress made.

“The ongoing work, particularly in relation to the improvement and maintenance schemes, is welcome and hopefully will result in the reduction of congestion.

“We will continue to monitor the outcomes of the roadworks as they are completed to see if they have fulfilled these objectives.”