Strcutural surveys conducted at the start of the first phase of redevelopment works at Newtownhamilton Police Station revealed “unforeseen issues” which contributed to delays in the scheme, say police.
When works began in November 2025, the road outside the station was partially closed to create a temporary one-way system.
Six months on, residents were becomming frustrated by the apparant lack of progress and subsequent disruption to traffic, thus, Sinn Féin’s Aoife Finnegan MLA recently attended the site of Newtownhamilton’s Police Station with Cllr Oonagh Magennis to meet with PSNI to raise concerns on the apparent lack of urgency.
The MLA expressed her own frustration for what she regarded as “extremely poor” communitcation between the PSNI and local community. She added: “Residents deserve clear and accurate information about what is happening, why these delays have occurred and, most importantly, when the works will be completed.”
Armagh I subsequently contacted the PSNI for clarification and received the following response from a spokesperson: “We appreciate that the people of Newtownhamilton have put up with considerable disruption over a sustained period of time, and thank them for their patience.
“Phase one of upgrade work at the Police Station commenced in November 2025 and is due to complete before March 2027.
“Proposed as part of the South Armagh Policing Review, this phase has seen work take place on the station perimeter to upgrade and modernise the appearance of the existing fence on The Square and Shamble Lane, as well as the realignment of Newry Road, in conjunction with the Department for Infrastructure.
“Upon completion of the work, the road outside the station will cease to be a one-way system and will be returned to two-way traffic.
“After work had commenced in November, structural surveys highlighted a number of previously unforeseen issues, particularly around road safety measures at the Shambles Lane / Newry Street junction. Additional engineering design input was required in order to deliver improved sightlines.
“It is anticipated that phase one will complete during the current financial year and will cause some continued localised traffic disruption.
“Phase two works for Newry Street are planned to commence in 2027 and will lead to a significant improvement to the existing road traffic arrangements, leading to improved traffic flow through the town and, ultimately, a modern fit-for-purpose police estate for the future.
“These ongoing works, along with the significant progress already made against the delivery of Review’s recommendations, represent a positive development for the local community and reassurance of our unwavering commitment to delivering a visible, accessible, responsive, community-focused police service to those we serve across Newry, Mourne and Down.”
