Council receives an update on road infrastructure projects for Newry, Mourne and Down District Council 2025

Date published: 29 September 2025

During a meeting on Monday, 29 September, 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 Departments 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, we completed key resurfacing works on Dublin Road in Kilcoo, Shore Road in Strangford, and Newcastle Street, Kilkeel. More recently, we completed a carriageway resurfacing scheme on Spa Road, Ballynahinch. Other projects, including a traffic signal upgrade at Drumalane in Newry, have also been successfully completed.”

Continuing Ms Noble said: 

“Looking ahead to 2025/26, we are planning additional resurfacing schemes across the district, with projects on Ardmore Road in Newry, Ballynahinch Road in Crossgar and Cullaville Road in Crossmaglen. We’re also advancing several significant pedestrian improvement initiatives throughout Newry, Mourne and Down. Among these is a major upgrade to the traffic signal junction at Belfast Road / Main Street / Todds Hill in Saintfield. This project will introduce MOVA (Microprocessor Optimised Vehicle Actuation) technology, which will optimise traffic flow and greatly enhance pedestrian safety and access.

Further plans include new pedestrian-friendly upgrades, such as installing a puffin crossing at Dromore Road in Ballynahinch and a comprehensive puffin crossing upgrade at Monaghan Street in Newry.

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 five of these new schemes are planned for the Newry, Mourne and 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 will deliver significant benefits to both the local community and commuters in Newry Mourne and Down.”