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The Department for Infrastructure have said that the Southern Relief Road linking the Warrenpoint dual carriageway to the A1 is one of the major road schemes they are priortising. Due to what they call a "challenging budgetary position" they have decided to prioritise 9 schemes.
The DfI add that work will continue also to finalise the business case and prepare contract documents on the A1 junctions Phase 2 scheme from Sprucefield to Loughbrickland but don't mention progressing the project further than that. The A1 with many central reservation crossing points is constantly in the news with serious road traffic collisions happening on a regular basis. Even when Phase 2 is completed the stretch between Loughbrickland and Sheepbridge won't even have started.
The Southern Relief Road was awarded the sum of £93.4m by the Belfast Region City Deal, by far the largest amount funded in the 'deal's 18 projects. The money is ringfenced for the project so it is probably no surprise that its progression might be a bit easier for DfI to consider. If work on the Southern Relief Road scheme continues as presently planned a fixed bridge will be built over Newry Ship Canal that will spell the end of over 250 years of maritime heritage in Newry.
A DfI spokesperson said "Prioritising the development and delivery of major road schemes has been necessary because of the Department’s challenging budgetary position, along with constrained resources and commitments under the Climate Change (NI) Act 2022. This combination of factors has changed the landscape considerably, meaning delivery of the major roads programme as previously set out is no longer sustainable nor appropriate."
The list of roads to be prioritised include the closing out of projects that have been recently constructed as well as the continued development of schemes that have been identified as Executive Flagship projects and those included within City and Growth Deals.
Road schemes to be prioritised:
- A6 Randalstown/Castledawson
- A6 Derry / Dungiven Phase 1
- A5 Western Transport Corridor
- A6 Derry / Dungiven Phase 2
- Belfast Rapid Transit 2
- Lagan Pedestrian & Cycle Bridge
- Newry Southern Relief Road
- A4 Enniskillen Southern Bypass
- A29 Cookstown Bypass
Work will also continue on the A1 Junctions Phase 2 scheme, to finalise the Business Case and complete the preparation of the contract documents. In addition, current work streams will also be completed on York Street Interchange and A32 Cornamuck schemes.
The DfI add that ll other schemes will be paused and their place on a future major works programme will be informed by the Department’s emerging transport plans and any decision by a future Infrastructure Minister.
