Council gets update on infrastructure projects for Newry Mourne and Down

Date published: 23 May 2017

Speaking as he addressed council members this evening, Divisional Roads Manager, Simon Richardson said:

“Over the next year, the Newry Mourne and Down area will see the completion of a number of infrastructure projects, including Fountain Street widening in Downpatrick, Collin’s Corner junction in Downpatrick and the extension of the Park and Share car park in Clough.

“We will also be completing a significant programme of resurfacing schemes across the district including schemes at Downshire Road Newry, Sturgan Brae Camlough, Cecil Street Newry, Edendarriff Road Ballynahinch and Ardglass Road Downpatrick.

“These projects will realise significant benefits for both the local community and commuters in Newry Mourne and Down.”

Mr Richardson continued:

“However, the indicative budget outlined by the Secretary of State in April does mean that there are likely to be knock on impacts for services including routine maintenance of the road network. In this area, the Department is likely to be reliant on additional resources becoming available. We understand the implications of the limited service and its long term impacts on the network and we are doing our best to deliver routine maintenance within the allocated budget.

“The Department’s objective is to continue to deliver routine road maintenance services at the current level for as long as possible. While services will be constrained, we are planning to meet all essential public safety requirements.”

Concluding, Mr Richardson said:

“It is also worth noting other projects in the area recently completed, including Kilmore Bridge replacement, Vianstown Road / Bishops Brae junction improvement in Downpatrick and Kingsmill Road / Drumnahunshin Road junction improvement in Whitecross. There has also been an extensive list of resurfacing schemes across the District Council area. These include schemes at Newry Road Hilltown, Belfast Road Downpatrick, Drumaness Road Ballynahinch and Newry Road Silverbridge.”