Council gets update on infrastructure projects for Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council

Antrim and Newtownabbey Council members have been updated on works in the area by the Department for Infrastructure.

Speaking as he addressed Council members, Divisional Roads Manager David Porter said:

“Over the last year, a number of significant resurfacing schemes have been completed in the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council area, including the A6 at Brecart Roundabout near Toome, B94 Rashee Road, Ballyclare, B152 Oriel Road, Antrim, U409 Old Irish Highway, Newtownabbey and C19 Ballyhill Road, Crumlin.  In addition, a 320 metre stretch of shared pedestrian/cycle facility has been provided on the west side of Paradise Walk in Templepatrick between the roundabout and the Hilton Hotel, providing a connection to the Ballymartin Park and Ride facility.

“These projects will provide widespread benefits to both the local community and commuters in the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council area.

“I am pleased to tell you that we have started the current financial year with a significantly increased capital allocation and you will have heard that the Department has been allocated £75 million.  This budget will allow us to plan to deliver a significantly increased number of both Trunk Road and Non-Trunk Road resurfacing schemes, a sustained programme of street lighting upgrades along with a slightly improved LTSM (Local Transportation and Safety Measures) allocation.”

Mr Porter continued:

“It is clear that the recent severe winter has had a significant detrimental impact on the road network and the Department will continue to identify those roads most in need of repair and deliver this work alongside other ongoing priorities. In particular, I want to advise you that £15million of the overall allocation has been ring fenced as the Roads Recovery Fund which will help local Section Engineers to target roads which are in need of urgent attention.  It is worth knowing that almost 40,000 surface defects have been repaired in the last few months.

“The ongoing maintenance programme will also allow roadside verges and sightline grass to be cut at least twice in the period April to October; along with a full weed spraying operation.  I wish to thank the Council for continuing to work in partnership with us on the cutting of grass across the Borough.  This work has now commenced across the region however if our attention is drawn to specific locations where the grass is causing a particular issue we will endeavour to give these urgent attention."

Notes to editors: 

1. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office on 028 9054 0007 or e-mail: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk. Out of hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07623 974 383 and your call will be returned.
2. The Department may take photographs and videos at announcements and events to publicise its work. Photographs, interviews, videos or other recordings may be issued to media organisations for publicity purposes or used in promotional material, including in publications, newspapers, magazines, other print media, on television, radio and electronic media (including social media and the internet). Photographs and videos will also be stored on the Department’s internal records management system. The Department will keep the photographs and recordings for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which they have been obtained. The Department’s Privacy Policy is available on our website   
3. Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra and on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure

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