Council receives an update on roads infrastructure projects for Belfast City Council area

Belfast City Council members have been updated by the local Divisional Roads Manager on works being undertaken in 2021/22, at the Department for Infrastructure’s recent council meeting.

Speaking as he addressed council members on Wednesday evening Divisional Roads Manager, Mr Kevin Monaghan, said:

“This year we have continued to deliver our programmes whilst dealing with the impacts of Covid-19 on our organisation and contractors. 

“Major resurfacing schemes have recently been completed on the A55 Parkway – Holywood Road to Belmont Road, Moyle Walk and Suffolk Road.  Further major resurfacing schemes programmed for completion this financial year include A55 Belvoir Road – Tesco junction to Milltown Road, Lisburn Road – Balmoral Avenue to Kings Hall and Abbeydale Drive. These schemes are due to be commenced very shortly.”

Mr Monaghan also highlighted Minister Mallon’s commitment to investing in improved safety measures outside schools and informed the Council of 16 locations across the Belfast City Council area where 20 mph speed limits have already been installed with plans for a further tranche of 21 schools in the council area this financial year.  

He continued,

“Street lighting measures promoted include LED retrofits at Woodland Grange Area, Beechlawn Park Area and Sunningdale Area.  Minor works programmed include Church Road, Castlereagh with the provision of 430 metres of new footway along the eastern side of Church Road to link existing footway at Grey Castle Manor with the entrance to the Henry Jones playing fields and provide continuous pedestrian access along Church Road.

“These projects will benefit local communities and will provide significant benefits for road users including pedestrians and cyclists.”

Continuing Mr Monaghan added:  

“The opening 2021/22 structural maintenance capital budget is £80 million for Northern Ireland. This includes £17million within the ‘road recovery fund’ which is a 50% increase on last year. The Minister has also allocated funding to allow protection of a full street lighting repair service for the entire year within very challenging budgetary constraints.

“Divisional allocations have been confirmed and I am pleased to note that on the Capital side these are broadly similar to last year.  Resource allocations will allow the Department to maintain the road network in a similar way to last year and I once again I am pleased to report the Minister has allocated sufficient funding to allow a full street lighting repair service for the entire year and this is to be welcomed.”

Ms Liz Loughran, also attended the meeting to update members on active travel and blue/ green projects, commented that since coming to office Minister Mallon has emphasised her commitment to improving active travel and this year is investing £20million to her Blue/Green fund, with £11million towards active travel. She has also created a number of new posts across the Department to help deliver more opportunities for walking, wheeling and cycling.  Ms Loughran also provided an update to Council on recent and current blue/green schemes for the Belfast area. 

She said: 

“In June the Minister published the ‘Belfast Cycling Network’ providing a blueprint for the development and delivery of coherent, connected and safe infrastructure for everyday cycling in the city over the next ten years. The Network includes proposals for around 180 kilometres of arterial and orbital routes right across the city that will bring good quality cycling infrastructure within 400 metres of around three quarters of all Belfast City Council residents.

“A number of pilot pop up cycle lanes were introduced in Belfast during the covid pandemic and these are currently under review.  A consultation has also recently been held on the potential lighting of the Comber Greenway and a decision on whether to proceed will be taken once responses to the consultation have been carefully considered.“ 

Ms Loughran continued:

“Road safety for pedestrians and cyclists is also paramount and a number of signal junction upgrades, incorporating extra low voltage equipment and puffin crossing facilities, have been installed at Botanic Avenue / University Street and Crumlin Road / Ligoniel Road with plans underway for further schemes including at Ravenhill Road/Cherryvale playing fields and Lower Ormeau Road.

“We are also continuing to work in collaboration with Councils, businesses and local people on a number of post Covid-19 initiatives such as parklets, with the successful completion of a scheme on Bedford Street, while plans are underway for further place making schemes to include Castle Place and Adelaide Street.“

Concluding Mr Monaghan said: 

“Local officials 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 if funding becomes available through the rest of 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.
2. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours 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.
3. Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra and on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure

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