Ards and North Down Borough Council receives an update on road infrastructure projects for 2025/26

Date published: 15 October 2025

During a meeting on Tuesday 14 October, Divisional Roads Manager Cindy Noble addressed the council, stating, 

“The Department’s Final 2025-26 Resource Budget is £637.1m, representing an increase of £77.6m from the 2024-25 opening budget. The Department has been historically underfunded for many years, so this is a welcome increase in the Department's resource budget allocation. However, this does not fully meet the requirements of the Department and therefore decisions on prioritising the budget have been made. The Department’s Final 2025-26 Capital Budget is £917m, representing an increase of £63.4m from the 2024-25 opening budget. This recognises the importance infrastructure plays to everyday lives, contributing to addressing regional imbalance and delivering positive change for all as we invest for future generations. The opening Capital budget for structural maintenance stands at £68 million which falls significantly short of our funding requirements. This will allow the delivery of our highest priority resurfacing projects, roadside stability, and drainage projects. The Department has operated within a constrained Resource budget for many years and to help address historic underfunding additional funding has been allocated to essential maintenance and enhancing signs and lining and builds upon the existing level of service.”

Ms Noble acknowledged the challenges posed by the 2025-26 budget but reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to delivering local transport improvements, safety schemes, and maintenance initiatives that boost road safety.

Ms Noble continued: 

“Last year, key resurfacing works were completed on Belfast Road in Comber, Comber Road / South Street in Newtownards, and Clandeboye Road in Bangor. More recently, a carriageway resurfacing scheme was carried out on Killinchy Road in Comber. Other projects such as the installation of pedestrian islands on Clandeboye Road in Bangor, the upgrading of a pedestrian crossing to a Puffin Crossing at Bangor Road in Newtownards, and the provision of a new Puffin Crossing at Bloomfield Road in Bangor have also been completed.”

Continuing, Ms Noble said, 

“Looking ahead to 2025/26, we have recently completed resurfacing projects across the area with projects on Deerpark Road in Portaferry, Portaferry Road in Newtownards, and Killinchy Road in Comber. Pedestrian enhancements are also progressing, such as installing an uncontrolled crossing to increase pedestrian safety on Killinchy Road in Comber, along with several footway resurfacing schemes in the Ards and North Down area at sites such as High Street in Portaferry and Blenheim Drive in Newtownards.

"In our ongoing commitment to road safety, the Department is extending part-time 20mph zones to another 40 schools in 2025, bringing the total number implemented since 2020/21 to 273. I’m pleased to confirm that two of these new schemes are planned for the Ards and North Down area. This important initiative aims to make journeys to and from school safer for children, parents, and staff, and demonstrates our dedication to safer routes and stronger communities across the region."

In closing, Ms Noble said; 

“These projects the Department is delivering will bring significant benefits to both the local community and commuters in the Ards and North Down area.