Council gets update on infrastructure projects for Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council 2019

Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council members have been updated on works in the area by the Department for Infrastructure.

Speaking as he addressed council members this evening, Divisional Roads Manager Mr Kevin Monaghan said:

“Over the past year, a number of significant resurfacing schemes have been completed including those at the Causeway End Road, Dromara Road, Chapel Road, Gravelhill Road and Glenavy Road.  In addition, work was completed on the Halftown Road, Hillhall Road, Knockmore Road, Saintfield Road and Stoneyford Road as part of the roads recovery fund which addresses roads in immediate need of repair.”

Mr Monaghan also advised that a Network Development scheme for the provision of a new 50 metre footway at Carnreagh, Hillsborough, had been completed.  He said:

“This scheme included construction of a new footway which links to the existing footway network and complete with associated accommodation works, will improve facilities for pedestrians in the area.

“These projects will provide widespread benefits to the local community and will enhance provision for all those walking and cycling, as well as those using roads in the Lisburn and Castlereagh Council area.”

Mr Monaghan continued:

“The Department continues to face significant Resource and Capital budget challenges. Since 2013 the Department has relied on in year funding to deliver some core services including public transport and winter gritting. This continues to be the case for 2019-20. Our allocation falls well short of meeting our needs and so the maintenance of the road network will be problematic, given its continuing deterioration.

“In Capital the 2019-20 allocation to the Department represents a reduction from the previous year.  Almost 70% of this budget is taken up with committed or priority projects, leaving insufficient budget to meet the Department’s responsibilities.  With the remaining funds, we will have to strike a balance between maintaining existing infrastructure and road improvements.  Independent advice suggests that an investment of some £400 million per year is needed to safeguard these assets, more than double what the Department has available. 

“Recent independent reports have highlighted that funding for roads maintenance has been below the level required for some time.  While we would like to have increased funding for structural maintenance this year, the best we have been able to do is to keep it at a similar level to last year and again include a ‘Roads Recovery Fund’ which gives flexibility to target those roads which have been adversely impacted by recent under funding. 

“While this will enable the Department to plan to deliver a reasonable programme of resurfacing schemes in the Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council area, funding for other programmes, such as Local Transport and Safety Measures and Street Lighting column replacement, will not be at the same level.  The allocation for routine maintenance which is also similar to last year, means that we can deliver two grass cuts, a single gully clean across the network and the intervention level for potholes on lightly trafficked roads remains at 50 millimetres.”

Notes to editors: 

1. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office on 028 9054 0007 or email: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk. Out of hours please contact the duty press officer on 028 9037 8110.
2. Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra and on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure

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