Council receives an update on road infrastructure projects for Mid and East Antrim Borough Council 2025

Date published: 22 October 2025

During a meeting on Tuesday, 21 October, Divisional Roads Manager Alan Keys 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.”

Mr Keys 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.

Mr Keys continued: 

“Last year, we completed key resurfacing works on the M2 Ballymena Bypass, Hiltonstown Road and Dunminning Road, Ballymena and Island Road, Larne. Other projects, including a new footway link on Bentra Road, Ballycarry, have also been successfully completed.”

Continuing Mr Keys said: 

“Looking ahead to 2025/26, resurfacing schemes include the A2 Coast Road at Ballycarry, the A43 Glenravel Road Cargin, Ferniskey Road, Kells and Hiltonstown Road Portglenone.

Active Travel schemes continue to progress, with work to provide a shared footway and cycle path on the Grove Road, Ballymena substantially complete. Meanwhile design work is ongoing for future active travel provision at Fenaghy Road, Galgorm, Gortgole Road, Portglenone, and Raceview Road, Ballymena 

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 four of these new schemes are planned for the Mid and East Antrim 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, Mr Keys said: 

“These projects will deliver significant benefits to both the local community and commuters in the Mid and East Antrim area.”