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A special council meeting this week saw Newry, Mourne and Down District Council members updated by the Department for Infrastructure on the progress of road maintenance and improvement works in 2021/22 and those planned for 2022/23.
Speaking as he addressed council members this evening, Divisional Roads Manager Mark McPeak said: “In the absence of an Executive, the Department of Finance has provided the Department with contingency planning envelopes, for both Resource and Capital funding. With the uncertainty around budgets it is important to monitor all activities within the constrained funding available going forward and difficult decisions may need to be made to re-align activities within funding levels as the year progresses. Despite these budget uncertainties, the Department will continue to develop local transport and safety schemes and maintenance programmes to enhance safety and improve traffic progression.”
Continuing, Mr McPeak said: “The Department completed an extensive Roads Recovery Programme across the council area in 2021/22 with 162 sites receiving treatment. This included schemes on Tullyvallen Road and Nine Mile Road in Newtownhamilton, Cullion Road in Mayobridge, Ballydugan Road and Bonecastle Road in Downpatrick, and Dunmore Road in Ballynahinch.
“I am pleased to confirm that the second tranche of the new part-time 20mph speed limit at schools are programmed to be operational at 14 schools during autumn 2022 which follows on from the 12 schools that benefited from the initiative in 2021."
Mr McPeak continued: “The Department recognises the importance of street lighting and delivered a full repair service in 2021/22 and is currently continuing in 2022/23 as part of the contingency planning budget. Total expenditure on street lighting during the 2021/22 year amounted to approximately £2million and included both full system replacement schemes and energy efficient LED lantern schemes. A number of locations in Kilkeel received LED lighting including Scrogg Road and Mossvale Park, as well as Parkhead Crescent in Newry, that not only improves the quality of lighting but is also more energy efficient given the Department’s commitment to climate action. Further proposed replacement schemes are planned in 2022/23."
Concluding, Mr McPeak said: “The Department will continue to develop local transport and safety schemes and maintenance programmes to enhance safety, improve traffic progression and provide measures for pedestrians and cyclists”.
