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09/05/2002
Motorway improvements a step closer
Commuters in Belfast learned this week that another legal step has been taken to begin improvements to the busy M1-Westlink carriageway.
The improvements, which are expected to start in 2004, will take about 2-3 years to complete and will see commuters inevitably having to endure delays and detours as the government tries to ease the rush hour bottleneck.
Plans for the £55 million scheme will include a full underpass at Broadway roundabout and a partial underpass at Grosvenor Road. The M1/Westlink will be widened to provide three lanes in each direction between Black’s Road and Divis Street, while the existing bridges at Stockman’s Lane will be replaced and Stockman’s Lane roundabout will be widened.
The step taken by Regional Development Minister Peter Robinson to launch the publication of the draft Designation Order means the general public have 30 days to analyse the construction plans and to register any concerns they might have.
Mr Robinson said: “It is widely recognised that removing the bottleneck of Westlink is vital to the economy of Northern Ireland. Of the 65,000 vehicles which use it on a daily basis, around 22 per cent – some 15,000 – are commercial vehicles.
“Improvements to the M1 and Westlink will lead to a considerable reduction in congestion and will make journey times shorter and more reliable. They will also help to reduce the volumes of traffic using less suitable parallel routes, particularly the Lisburn, Malone, Falls and Springfield and Boucher Roads.
“Given the regional significance of Westlink in the strategic road network, the proposed scheme is my Department’s top road building priority.”
Subject to the completion of the statutory procedures and the availability of finance, the main scheme could start in 2004.
Copies of the draft Designation Order have been sent to Belfast City and Lisburn Borough Councils and to other statutory bodies involved in the consultation.
Copies will also be available for inspection by members of the public at the offices of Belfast and Lisburn Borough Councils, local public libraries and Roads Service offices in the Belfast and Lisburn areas.
(AMcE)
The improvements, which are expected to start in 2004, will take about 2-3 years to complete and will see commuters inevitably having to endure delays and detours as the government tries to ease the rush hour bottleneck.
Plans for the £55 million scheme will include a full underpass at Broadway roundabout and a partial underpass at Grosvenor Road. The M1/Westlink will be widened to provide three lanes in each direction between Black’s Road and Divis Street, while the existing bridges at Stockman’s Lane will be replaced and Stockman’s Lane roundabout will be widened.
The step taken by Regional Development Minister Peter Robinson to launch the publication of the draft Designation Order means the general public have 30 days to analyse the construction plans and to register any concerns they might have.
Mr Robinson said: “It is widely recognised that removing the bottleneck of Westlink is vital to the economy of Northern Ireland. Of the 65,000 vehicles which use it on a daily basis, around 22 per cent – some 15,000 – are commercial vehicles.
“Improvements to the M1 and Westlink will lead to a considerable reduction in congestion and will make journey times shorter and more reliable. They will also help to reduce the volumes of traffic using less suitable parallel routes, particularly the Lisburn, Malone, Falls and Springfield and Boucher Roads.
“Given the regional significance of Westlink in the strategic road network, the proposed scheme is my Department’s top road building priority.”
Subject to the completion of the statutory procedures and the availability of finance, the main scheme could start in 2004.
Copies of the draft Designation Order have been sent to Belfast City and Lisburn Borough Councils and to other statutory bodies involved in the consultation.
Copies will also be available for inspection by members of the public at the offices of Belfast and Lisburn Borough Councils, local public libraries and Roads Service offices in the Belfast and Lisburn areas.
(AMcE)
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