Council receives an update on infrastructure projects for Mid Ulster District Council 2020

Mid Ulster District Council members have been updated on works in the area by the Department for Infrastructure during 2019/20 and the Department’s schemes being undertaken in 2020/21.

Speaking as he addressed council members this evening, Divisional Roads Manager, Mr David McKinley said,

“Over the past year good progress has been made on a number of strategic roads infrastructure projects, in particular on the A6 where the new dual carriageway from Randalstown to Toome opened to traffic in August of last year, while the Toome to Castledawson section remains on programme to open in 2021. Meanwhile development work continues at pace on the A29 Cookstown Bypass and on the A5 Western Transport Corridor.

“Significant resurfacing schemes have been completed including A4 Ballagh Road, A42 Moyagall Road, B34 Killyman Road, B45 Dyan Road, B160 Ballynargan Road and B40 Draperstown Road. In addition roads carrying cross border traffic benefitted from £820,000 of Brexit preparedness funding which saw resurfacing carried out at a number of locations including B45 Annaghroe Road, B83 Knockmany Road and u329 Ravella Road. Work was also completed at 146 locations at a cost of £1.05 million as part of the roads recovery fund which addresses roads in immediate need of repair.”

Mr McKinley also advised that a new shared footway / cycleway was completed between Castledawson to Castledawson roundabout to complement the recently opened footbridges over the new A6 dual carriageway and a right turning lane was provided on the A4 Ballagh Road near Fivemiletown.  A Puffin controlled crossing was provided to assist pedestrians on Sixtowns Road, Straw and new infill footways were provided at Muff Road, Churchtown and Washingbay Road, Clonoe.  A traffic signal upgrade was completed at Westland Road / Orritor Road, Cookstown and work has started on a new shared footway / cycleway on the A42 Mayogall Road at Clady. Street lighting renewal schemes were completed at The Cairn, Dungannon, Coolreaghs Road, Cookstown, Coleraine Road, Ash and Sycamore Drive Maghera and Culnady village. Bridge works also included the progression of the design to an advanced stage for the replacement of Ardtrea Bridge, Littlebridge Road, Cookstown.

“These projects will provide significant benefits to both the local community and enhance provision for all those walking and cycling, as well as those using roads in the Mid Ulster area.

“It has been an unprecedented year so far, with the impact of Covid-19.  This resulted in our contractors being unable to work from mid-March until around mid-May, which had a knock on impact on our work programmes.  I am pleased to advise that our contractors have been working again since May, to complete the schemes that were stopped and we are now planning and implementing our 2020/21 works programmes.

“Divisional allocations have now been confirmed and I am pleased to note that on the Capital side these are broadly similar to last year although additional funding is being made available for walking and cycling and safer routes to schools and this will allow the introduction of part time 20mph speed limits at eight schools in the Mid Ulster Council area. Resource allocations will allow the Department to maintain the road network in a similar way to last year and I am pleased to report that the Minister has allocated sufficient funding to allow a full street lighting repair service for the entire year and this is to be welcomed.  

“The overall 2020/21 structural maintenance capital budget is £75 million for Northern Ireland and of this, £12 million has been set aside for a roads recovery fund of which £10 million is targeted towards rural roads. For Mid Ulster Council this translates to approximately £1.4 million to be used to address areas of immediate need across the rural road network.

“My staff will continue to develop local transport and safety schemes and maintenance programmes to enhance safety, improve traffic flow and provide measures for pedestrians and cyclists.  As the year progresses we will continue to bid for additional funding to maintain the integrity of the road network and additional schemes will be implemented as funding becomes available through the year.

“I would encourage Councillors to continue to contact the relevant members of my staff in relation to operational matters and they will do their best to assist.”

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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