Council receives an update on roads infrastructure projects for Derry City and Strabane District Council area

Date published: 08 December 2021

Derry City and Strabane Council members have been updated by the Acting Divisional Roads Manager Harry Gallagher on works undertaken during the year 2021/2022 and programme of schemes being undertaken for the remainder of the financial year and onwards in the Derry City and Strabane Council area.

Speaking as he addressed council members this evening Mr Gallagher said:

“This year we have continued to deliver our programmes whilst dealing with the impacts of Covid-19 on our organisation and contractors. “While resurfacing work has been delayed by contractual difficulties, surface dressing schemes have been completed on over 100 miles of road across the district."

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

Continuing, Mr Gallagher added:

“The Department is at the forefront of delivering the Minister’s ambition and will increasingly be taking opportunities to increase the allocation of road space for walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport on our urban streets This recognises the role that these streets have as community places; and their ability to help us achieve our new outcomes.  Councillors will therefore, see an increasing level of investment being targeted at delivering a higher standard of walking and cycling infrastructure and a dedicated team has been set up in the Division to take this forward.”

Mr Gallagher, updated members on Strategic Road Improvement projects within the Division, adding:

“Alongside our active travel initiatives, the Division continues to progress strategic road improvements including the A5 dualling flagship project where it is hoped that the public inquiry will be reconvened during 2022 and the statutory and environmental processes brought to a satisfactory conclusion thereafter. The first phase of the A6 Randalstown to Castledawson Dualling opened in August 2019 with the final section from Toome to Castledawson fully opening to traffic in  May 2021.  Construction work continues on the new dual carriageway on the A6 between Drumahoe and Dungiven. Sixteen structures are now substantially complete, the new park and ride at Drumahoe became operational in July and the new park and ride at Claudy is also well advanced. The A2 Buncrana Road is a key arterial road in the north west of the city and the proposals to upgrade the existing road to dual carriageway were presented in 2019. The Department is aware of the concerns for this proposal and an Environmental Impact Report is planned for public consultation in 2022 to help inform the next steps for this project.”

Mr Gallagher advised that notable projects underway this year include the continuation of the cycleway at Strathfoyle / Maydown Road including the provision of a new controlled crossing on Maydown Road along with controlled crossings on the Skeoge and Greenhaw Roads in the city. Street lighting renewal schemes have been completed at Madison Avenue, Eglinton and in the Carnhill and Ballymagroarty areas of the city.  Bridge foundation repairs were carried out during the summer months at both Strabane Bridge and Crew Bridge, Castlederg. Work expected to be completed shortly includes the long requested introduction of a 7.5 tonne weight restriction through the main street of Clady village and a number of traffic calming schemes including those at Hampstead Park and at Sevenoaks will begin soon.

Continuing, Mr Gallagher noted:

“Divisional allocations have now been confirmed and I am pleased to note that on the Capital side these are similar to last year, with funds being made available for blue/ green infrastructure, including walking and cycling; for structural maintenance, safer routes to schools and traffic information and control.  Unfortunately, as a result of legal challenges the Department has encountered difficulties with award of contracts and we currently do not have an asphalt resurfacing contractor in the Derry City and Strabane area however officials are working at pace to get contractor resources on the ground as quickly as possible.”  

Mr Gallagher further added:

“The overall 2021/22 structural maintenance capital budget is £104m for Northern Ireland against an annual requirement of some £143 million.  Of this £17m has been set aside for a roads recovery fund, which is being used to address areas of immediate need across the road network and £1.77 million has been allocated to the Derry City and Strabane area. The Department will continue to identify those roads in most need of repair and prioritise this work alongside other ongoing priorities.”

“I also am pleased to report that despite significant resource budget pressures the  Resource allocations received in 2021/22 will allow DfI Roads to maintain the road network to a similar standard as last year, including funding for a full street light repair service and an average Winter Gritting Service.”

Concluding Mr Gallagher said:

“Our teams will also continue to develop local transport and safety schemes and maintenance programmes to enhance safety and provide measures to enable more people to walk and cycle a part of their everyday routine.  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 .
  2. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only 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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