Council receives an update on infrastructure projects for Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council 2021

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council members have been updated by the Department for Infrastructure on road maintenance, improvement works and active travel schemes in 2020/21 and those planned for 2021/22.

Speaking as he addressed Council members this evening, Divisional Roads Manager, Mr Mark McPeak said: 

“The 2020/21 year was unprecedented due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. However we worked closely with our contractors to develop new working practices to ensure that much needed road maintenance and improvement works could proceed and as a result most of our 2020/21 programme was successfully delivered despite the absence of work over the first part of the year.

“During the year a number of significant resurfacing schemes have been completed including the Ballyvalley Road, Tandragee; Main Street, Donaghcloney; Doughery Road, Banbridge; and Bessbrook Road, Markethill.

“Minister Mallon is committed to the delivery of active travel schemes across the north and to making walking, wheeling and cycling a safer and more attractive option for people getting around. As a result, £430k from the Minister’s Blue/Green Fund will be used to progress an active travel scheme in the 2021/22 year involving the upgrading of a shared footway/cycleway around Craigavon Lakes.

In the 2020/21 financial year Minister Mallon announced the roll out of new part-time 20mph speed limit schemes to improve road safety and I am pleased to confirm eight schools across seven locations in the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon area, have been completed and are operational from the start of the new school year. Minister Mallon has recently announced more funding in the 2021/22 financial year for a further tranche of part-time 20mph speed limits and it is proposed to provide this at 6 schools in the Council area."

Continuing Mr McPeak said:

“The Minister recognises the importance of street lighting and allocated sufficient funding to ensure a full repair service was delivered in the full 2020/21 year; the Minister has again allocated sufficient funding this year to maintain this level of service.  Total expenditure on street lighting during the 2020/21 year amounted to approximately £2 million and included both full system replacement schemes and energy efficient LED lantern schemes. Among the areas that received LED lighting were Shillington Bridge, Portadown, Lurgan Tarry Phase 2, Lurgan; Iveagh Drive Phase 2, Banbridge; and Ardmore Link, Armagh.

“My staff will continue to develop local transport and safety schemes and maintenance programmes to enhance safety, improve traffic progression and provide measures for pedestrians and cyclists.”

Concluding Mr McPeak said:

“The Minister has published her Written Statement, accepting the outcomes of the A1 Junctions Phase 2 Public Inquiry and announced her decision to progress the scheme in readiness of funding becoming available.  The Direction Order and the Stopping Up (of Private Accesses) Order for the scheme have both been made.  The Armagh East and Armagh North and West Link schemes are being considered within the Department’s forthcoming Regional Strategic Transportation Network Transport Plan.”

Notes to editors: 

1. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hour’s service for media enquiries between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
2. Follow us on Twitter @deptinfra and on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure

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