Further £1.6m Roads Investment For Carrick

NI Roads Minister Conor Murphy yesterday put forward a £1.6m investment plan for the Carrickfergus Borough Council area.

Minister Murphy last night met with the council to outline the scheme planned for the area.

Congestion on the A2, particularly between Ravenhill and Silverstream, has been identified in the Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan 2012, which the Minister has said will be a key part of the Road Service's Major Works Preparation Pool.

Mr Murphy said: "A Public Inquiry into this proposal was held in October 2007 and the Roads Service is currently considering the Inspector's report with a view to producing a Departmental Statement on proposals for progressing the scheme."


Providing the Minister and his department gain a "satisfactory outcome" from the statutory process, the DRD will move towards progressing the implementation of works.



The Minister said: 

"This year in this borough area we plan to spent £1.6 million on various projects. The department will continue with its carriageway and footway resurfacing programme plus drainage improvement across the borough."

The department also plans additional safety schemes in the area, including traffic calming measures at Prospect Heights and Station Road. As well as the realignment of North Road and Marshallstown Road junction and street lighting upgrades in several parts of the borough.

Speaking yesterday, Roads Service's Acting Divisional Roads Manager Ken Hutton said: "Roads Service will continue to concentrate on scheme delivery in the Carrickfergus Borough Council area."

The Roads Service has pledged to minimise the disruption arising from any works and will provide motorists with advance warning of roadworks.

(PR/JM)