O’Dowd announces next steps in development of A29 Cookstown Bypass Scheme

Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has outlined his commitment to the A29 Cookstown Bypass scheme with confirmation that the draft Statutory Orders for the scheme will be published in April.

The Minister also announced that a public information event will be held at The Burnavon in Cookstown on Tuesday 16 April.

Minister O’Dowd said:

“I am committed to the delivery of the A29 Cookstown Bypass and I am pleased to confirm that I have signed off on the publication of the draft Statutory Orders and the Environmental Impact Assessment Report for this significant scheme.

“The Bypass will help to relieve traffic congestion within Cookstown town centre, reduce journey travel times along the A29 link corridor, improve road safety and enhance the town centre environment.  The decongestion benefits of the scheme will also provide significant opportunities for the enhancement and reshaping of Cookstown town centre to promote sustainable travel choices.

“To help keep the local community informed about progress with the scheme, my Department is holding a public information event at The Burnavon on Tuesday 16 April.  This will provide an opportunity to engage with Departmental staff and the engineering consultants who can provide detail on work to date and the next steps in progressing the scheme. 

“The scheme is listed in the planned Mid South West Growth deal and my Department will continue to work closely with Council partners on this.  I know this project has been long awaited and I am determined as Minister to see it progress through the statutory processes as quickly as possible.”

The EIAR and draft Statutory Orders will be published week commencing Monday 1 April 2024 on the Department’s website.  Further information will be provided to the public at that time.   

The public information day is at The Burnavon, Burn Road Cookstown from 10am to 10pm on Tuesday 16 April 2024.  

Notes to editors: 

1. Further information on the Cookstown Bypass scheme is available on the Department’s website at:  A29 Cookstown Bypass - overview | Department for Infrastructure (infrastructure-ni.gov.uk)
2. The timescales for progressing to procurement and construction will depend upon a number of factors including the need for a public inquiry.  
3. Delivery of the new road is estimated to be £70m and will be dependent on the successful completion of the statutory processes and the future budget availability.
4. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
5. Follow us on X formerly Twitter at @deptinfra and on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure and on LinkedIn at DfILinkedIn.
6. 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.

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