A1 Junctions Phase 2 - overview

This scheme aims to provide further safety improvements along the A1 dual carriageway between Hillsborough and Loughbrickland. The improvements will include the provision of new grade seperated junctions, the closing up of all gaps in the central reservation and the provision of a continuous central reserve safety barrier along the whole route.

EU logo RGB

Current position

The 'preferred option' has been developed to the stage where the Department published the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and draft Statutory Orders in March 2019. The draft Statutory Orders comprise a Notice of Intention to Make a Direction Order, a Notice of Intention to Make a Vesting Order and a Notice of Intention to Make a Stopping Up (of Private Accesses) Order.  

A 14 week public consultation period provided an opportunity for everyone to have their say and the Department invited the public to submit any views, comments or concerns on the scheme proposals. The consultation period on the EIAR and the draft Orders ended on 28 June 2019. 

Further to this consultation, the Department convened a Public Inquiry into the scheme.  The Inquiry ran from 11 to 13 March 2020.  The Inspector issued his report to the Department on 19 October 2020.  The Department carefully considered the Inspector’s proposals and recommendations and issued the Departmental Statement on 28 January 2021.  Additional information regarding the Public Inquiry and the Notice to Proceed can be found at the links below.

On the 28 January 2021 Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon announced that the A1 Junctions Phase 2 road improvement scheme should progress.

The Minister having carefully considered and accepted the outcome of the Public Inquiry confirmed progression of the scheme in readiness of funding becoming available.

Subsequently the Department has made the following Direction Order (Statutory Rules)

The above Statutory Rules came into operation on 16th July 2021 and 24th June 2021 respectively.

The Statutory Rules as noted above and associated maps are available to view online at;

The Department on 14th August 2023 published a prioritised list of major road schemes that will continue to be progressed.  There are a number of reasons why the prioritisation of projects, currently in the pipeline, was necessary, including the challenging budgetary position and constrained resources (in terms of finance and staff) and, importantly, the Department’s commitments under the Climate Change (NI) Act 2022.

Transport policies and plans are currently being reviewed and updated to align with these commitments and this work will help define what major transport infrastructure projects should be included within any future major roads programme.

Development work on the A1J2 scheme to finalise the Business Case and complete the preparation of the contract documents will continue to progress towards the next key decision on procurement for the scheme, which will be considered following confirmation of the Regional Strategic Transport Network Transport Plan (RSTNTP).

Further progression of the A1J2 scheme to procurement and subsequent construction will also depend on the approval of the business case, clearing the statutory procedures and funding being made available to the Department.

Following a future decision to proceed, the contractor procurement exercise would take a further 12 - 15 months.  Construction would be expected to take a further three years to build the scheme.

For further information on the scheme please contact the A1J2 Project Manager at: Major Projects South, DfI Roads, Marlborough House, Central Way, Craigavon BT64 1AD or email Southern.SRI@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk.

Cost

The cost of the Proposed Scheme is estimated to be in the range of
£65 - £75 million (currently under review).

Notice to Proceed

Public Inquiry on the Draft Orders and EIAR

Consultation on the Draft Orders and EIAR

Other Scheme Documents

Guidance for Land Owners

Previous Community Consultation

The documentation from previous community consultation is available at:

 

Last updated February 2024

Back to top