Write a commentNewry, Mourne and Down District Council members have been updated on programmed works on the road network for the area by the Department for Infrastructure who are continuing with road resurfacing projects including on the Fathom Line and commencement work on the design of the Southern Relief Road.
Speaking as he addressed council members at a meeting yesterday Monday 29 October, Divisional Roads Manager, Simon Richardson said: “In the first six months of this financial year the Department has made good progress on our resurfacing programme, having already completed a number of schemes across the district, including Concession Road, Culloville; Upper Dromore Road, Burren; Ardglass Road, Downpatrick; and Rooney Road, Kilkeel.
“During the rest of the financial year we will complete the remaining schemes on our resurfacing programme, including schemes at Seaview, Warrenpoint; Dundalk Street, Newtownhamilton; and Fathom Line, Newry.
“We have also made excellent progress completing a number of Road Recovery Fund schemes across the district. This fund, of £15 million across the four Roads Divisions, was established to address sections of road that would otherwise not have received treatment, and targets relatively short lengths that have a number of potholes or other surface defects. We will continue with this work during the remaining months of the year. These projects will realise significant benefits for both the local community and commuters in Newry, Mourne and Down.”
Mr Richardson continued “On 3 October the Department announced the preferred route of the Newry Southern Relief Road, which connects the A2 Warrenpoint Road to the A1 Belfast/Dublin Road. The proposed preferred route connects to the A2 along the frontage of Greenback Industrial Estate, crosses the Newry River and Canal just to the south of Drumalane Quarry and then heads in a westerly direction joining the A1 at the Ellisholding Junction.
“The next stage of the project will be to develop the design of the road and prepare the draft statutory Orders and the Environmental Impact Assessment for public consultation. We will be undertaking a series of local exhibitions and information events to keep the public up to date on developments and we will be continuing our face to face meetings with affected land owners.”
