Need for scheme
At present, the A29 runs north to south through the centre of Cookstown, County Tyrone, connecting Coleraine on the north coast to Cookstown, Dungannon and onwards to Armagh City. The A29 is a trunk road and has been classified as one of four link corridors within the transport network of Northern Ireland.
The removal of through traffic from the town centre would assist in reducing conflict between strategic and local traffic and thus assist in the reduction of both congestion and the risk of accidents. The current adverse effects of severance, noise, air quality and the impact on townscape are also likely to be reduced. This is expected to improve the quality of life for residents and attract more visitors and shoppers to the historic wide street town.
The proposed scheme
The Proposed Scheme comprises approximately 4km of carriageway extending from Loughry roundabout on the A29 Dungannon Road to the south of Cookstown, to a proposed new roundabout on the A29 Moneymore Road to the north. There would also be carriageway improvements to Sandholes Link Road.
As part of the Proposed Scheme, a new shared footway/cycleway would be created along the length of the bypass, connecting to the existing pedestrian and cycle network. A new shared footway/cycleway is also proposed on Sandholes Link Road.
The route has been designed as a wide single carriageway, with overtaking opportunities in both directions. New roundabouts will be situated at intersections with the Killymoon Road, Cloghog Road and Moneymore Road with hard strips and verges on both sides with a design speed of 100kph (60mph).
In parallel with design development, it is also proposed to commission a separate feasibility study on how the decongestion benefits of the proposed bypass can facilitate the enhancement and reshaping of Cookstown town centre to promote sustainable travel choices, connect people and communities and create a thriving and liveable space.
Current position
The EIAR and draft Statutory Orders will be published week commencing Monday 1 April 2024 on the Department’s website. The consultation period will commence from the first week in April and will end on Wednesday 29 May 2024.
A29 Cookstown Bypass - Consultation
Public Information Event
The public information day is at The Burnavon, Burn Road Cookstown from 10.00 am to 10.00 pm on Tuesday 16 April 2024. This will provide an opportunity to engage with Departmental staff and the engineering consultants who can provide detail on work to date and the next steps in progressing the scheme. The latest scheme brochure and 3D fly through video will be available online from Tuesday 16 April 2024.
- A29 Cookstown Bypass Virtual Room Live Link
- A29 Cookstown Bypass Flythrough Video
- A29 Cookstown Bypass Scheme Brochure
Scheme documents
- A29 Cookstown Bypass - Environmental Impact Assessment Report - Volume 1
- A29 Cookstown Bypass - Environmental Impact Assessment Report: Volume 2, Appendices 1.1 to 9.2
- A29 Cookstown Bypass - Environmental Impact Assessment Report: Volume 2, Appendices 10.1 to 16.1
- A29 Cookstown Bypass - Environmental Impact Assessment Report Volume 3, Figures
- A29 Cookstown Bypass - Non-Technical Summary
- A29 Cookstown Bypass - shadow Habitats Regulations Assessment
- A29 Cookstown Bypass - Direction Order
- A29 Cookstown Bypass - Vesting Order and Maps
- A29 Cookstown Bypass - Stopping-Up Order
- A29 Cookstown Bypass - Composite Notice
Archived Documents from 2008 - 2021
- A29 Cookstown Bypass - scheme brochure (2009)
- A29 Cookstown Bypass - stage 1 scheme assessment report 1 (2008)
- A29 Cookstown Bypass - stage 2 scheme assessment report 2 (2010 - Superceded)
- A29 Cookstown Bypass - stage 2 scheme assessment report (2021 - Current)
- A29 Cookstown Bypass - Record of Determination (2021)
- A29 Cookstown Bypass public exhibition brochure 2021
- 3D Fly Through 2021
Updated March 2024