A29 Cookstown Bypass - overview

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.

Through the town centre of Cookstown the A29 acts as a spine road serving both strategic (through) traffic and local traffic. The conflicting trips create congestion, causing delays and driver frustration. The needs of public transport and pedestrians also add to the congestion.

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 Public Inquiries Notice was published week commencing Monday 26 August 2024 on the Department's website and also in provincial and local newspapers.

The notice confirms the local public inquiries will be held in the Glenavon Hotel, Cookstown starting at 10 am on Tuesday 22 October 2024 and further inquiry information can be obtained via the following links.

• A29 Cookstown Bypass Public Inquiry Notice
• A29 Cookstown Bypass - Departmental Statement
• A29 Cookstown Bypass Proof of Evidence - EIAR
• A29 Cookstown Bypass Proof of Evidence - Scheme Development
• A29 Cookstown Bypass Proof of Evidence - Background Policies and Procedures
• A29 Cookstown Bypass Proof of Evidence - Traffic and Economics

The EIAR and draft Statutory Orders were published week commencing Monday 1 April 2024 on the Department’s website and the consultation period ended on Wednesday 29 May 2024.

In accordance with Article 67(6) of The Roads (Northern Ireland) Order 1993, as amended by the 2017 Roads (EIA) Regulations, the EIAR and technical assessments which inform it have been undertaken by a suitably qualified project team. A statement from the Department confirming this is detailed in Volume 1, Chapter 1, Section 1.10.

A public information day was also held at The Burnavon, Burn Road Cookstown on Tuesday 16 April 2024. The event provided an opportunity to engage with Departmental staff and the engineering consultants who provided detail on work to date and the next steps in progressing the scheme. The latest scheme brochure and 3D fly through video is available online via the following links.

• A29 Cookstown Bypass Virtual Room Live Link
• A29 Cookstown Bypass Flythrough Video
• A29 Cookstown Bypass Scheme Brochure

Scheme documents

• A29 Cookstown Bypass - Stage 3 Scheme Assessment Report
• 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
• A29 Cookstown Bypass - Screening Form

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