Armagh And Larne 'On Better Road'

Over £3m is being spent in the Larne Borough Council area this year on roads.

The A8 Belfast to Larne Dualling scheme is one of the developments with the Transport Minister Conor Murphy noting: "Since my announcement of the 'Preferred Route' for the new road in August 2009, scheme development has progressed well with publication of the draft Statutory Orders programmed for January 2011.

"Completion of the dual carriageway will improve road safety and reduce journey times, benefiting both the travelling public and the business community.

"The improvement will also help develop the Port of Larne, which is the second largest Port in the north.

"It is anticipated that the construction could start in 2012/13 and be completed in 2015, although this will be subject to satisfactory progress through the statutory procedures and the availability of funding through the normal budgetary processes," he said.

"On the Old Glenarm Road in Larne work has been completed on the installation of a new pelican crossing near the steps to Sallagh Park to cater for the high pedestrian demand at this point.

"As part of the scheme the opportunity was taken to carry out some local widening of the carriageway to assist the movement of through traffic and maintain existing on-street parking provision.

"The overall cost of this scheme was £36,000," he continued.

"Work to install 4,000m2 of rock face containment netting, located on the A2 Garron Road between its two junctions with Tower Road, near Garron Point, was completed on 8 November at a cost of £105,000.

"In addition, over 5km of resurfacing has been completed, so far in the Borough this year.

"Asphalt resurfacing schemes have been completed at ShanesHill Road, Sallagh Park, Ballycraigy Road and Ballyboley Road. Significant bitmac resurfacing schemes were also carried out on Mance Road, Middle Road, Drumcrow Road and Deerpark Road."

Commenting, Principal Engineer Uel Wilson said: "A range of local schemes have been successfully planned and delivered in the Larne Borough so far this year."

Meanwhile, in Armagh improvement works have been completed at the junction Tandragee road/U7762 at Lattery.

Over 14 lane kilometre of resurfacing has been completed in the District this year, with a further 10 lane kilometre programmed for completion by the end of the year.

Resurfacing schemes have been completed at Gosford Road, Markethill; Monaghan Road, Cathedral Road, Lower English Street and Dawson Street, Armagh; and Marlacoo Road, Hamiltonsbawn.

Divisional Roads Manager Kevin Monaghan said: "A wide range of local schemes have been successfully planned and delivered in the Armagh District in the past 12 months."

(BMcC/KMcA)