Write a comment
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has received an update from the Department for Infrastructure on road maintenance and improvement works for 2025/26 and 2026/27, including planned resurfacing and pedestrian crossing projects in Newry. Divisional Roads Manager Cindy Noble addressed members at a meeting on Monday past 28 September.
Ms Noble said the Department is providing an opening indicative allocation for structural maintenance of approximately £98 million, which is approximately £30 million higher than the opening allocation in the previous year. She said approximately £12.5 million of this has been targeted towards a Roads Recovery Fund, which will enable the delivery of the highest priority resurfacing, roadside stability and drainage projects. She added that funding for Rural Roads maintenance in 2026/27, at £10 million, is double the size of last year's allocation.
Looking at work already completed, Noble said: "Last year, we completed key resurfacing works on Cullaville Road in Crossmaglen, Ballynahinch Road in Crossgar, and Ardmore Road in Newry. Other projects, including a traffic signal upgrade at Francis Street / Dominic Street in Newry and Belfast Road / Main Street / Todds Hill, Saintfield, have also been successfully completed."
For 2026/27, she said additional resurfacing schemes are planned, with projects in Old Warrenpoint Road, Newry, Bryansford Village and New Road in Silverbridge. She said several significant pedestrian improvement initiatives are also being advanced throughout Newry, Mourne and Down. Among these is the installation of a puffin crossing at Monaghan Street, Newry and Downshire Road at Windsor Hill Primary School.
Noble said further plans include signalised junction upgrades at Bridge Street, Newry at Quays / Buttercrane and Market Street / Church Street junctions in Downpatrick.
The council also heard that the Department is developing a Transport Strategy 2035, which sets out a long-term vision and strategic framework for the region. It aims to support economic growth, strengthen regional balance and enhance connectivity, while promoting a more sustainable transport system. Local Transport Plans are also being developed alongside councils' Local Development Plans to ensure a more integrated approach to transport and land use planning.
Noble said road safety remains a high priority for the Department, which is committed to working proactively to make roads safer and address the needs of all road users.
She concluded: "These projects will deliver significant benefits to both the local community and commuters in Newry Mourne and Down."
