Write a commentThe Department of Infrastructure is set to receive £1.2 Million of European funding for the design stage of Newry's long awaited Southern Relief Road. The road will transport vehicles towards Warrenpoint without the need for them to go through the city, an issue which at present contributes significantly to traffic congestion at Kilmorey Street and Water Street.
The Southern Relief Road would also provide a more direct route for freight from across the island of Ireland entering and exiting Warrenpoint Harbour.
Several options were proposed for consultation earlier this year with both corridors linking the A2 Warrenpoint Road to the Ellisholding Junction (South of Cloghogue Roundabout) on the A1.
One corridor starts on the A2 Warrenpoint Road along the frontage of Greenbank Industrial Estate and crosses the Newry River and Canal just to the south of Drumalane Quarry and then heads in a westerly direction towards the N1. In the second option the corridor extends further south as far as Rough Island and follows along Fathom Line before heading in a northerly direction up Fathom Mountain to the N1.
It was also announced that the department will also receive 1.35 Million for the design of four new flyovers on the A1 between Loughbrickland and Hillsborough.
Funding for the two schemes has been made available through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). The CEF is a key EU funding instrument to promote growth, jobs and competitiveness through targeted infrastructure investment at European level. It supports the development of high performing, sustainable and efficiently interconnected trans-European networks in the fields of transport, energy and digital services. CEF investments fill the missing links in Europe's energy, transport and digital backbone.
The funding was anounced when Newry, Mourne and Down council members were updated on programmed infrastructure works for the area by the Department for Infrastructure.
Speaking as he addressed council members, Divisional Roads Manager for Southern Division, Simon Richardson said: “In the early part of this financial year we have made good progress on our resurfacing programme in the District. Some of the schemes we have completed include Downshire Road, Newry, Comber Road, Killyleagh, Strangford Road, Downpatrick and we will be completing a £300,000 scheme on Newtown Road, Camlough in early November.
“We are continuing to work through our network development programme for this financial year and have completed a number of schemes including Fountain Street, Downpatrick and an extension to the Park and Ride site in Clough which is being well used. We also intend to complete a junction improvement at Collins Corner, Downpatrick and extend the Park and Ride site close to Sheepbridge on the A1 dual carriageway.”
