Major resurfacing scheme in town

Major resurfacing scheme in town

16 July 2014

ALMOST £90,000 is to be spent resurfacing Fountain Street in Downpatrick.

The work is due to start next week and will result in the road being closed on several occasions. Fountain Street will be closed next Wednesday, July 28 and between August 20 and 22. The closures will be between 8am and 6pm.

Stormont Regional Development Minister, Danny Kennedy, said the Fountain Street scheme represents a “significant investment” in the roads infrastructure within Downpatrick.

“Once work is complete, road users will quickly realise the long term benefits from the new road surface on Fountain Street,” he said.

The Department for Regional Development (DRD) says it aims to keep disruptions to a minimum during the resurfacing scheme, but warns delays should be expected.

Drivers are asked to be patient and allow additional time when planning journeys in the area whilst the road improvements are being carried out.

The DRD says that as with all work of this nature, extreme weather can impact on the completion date. The public will be notified of any changes to the proposed road closures.

News of the Fountain Street investment has been welcomed by Councillor Naomi Bailie. She said traffic will be disrupted during resurfacing scheme and appealed to motorists to be patient and obey the diversions in place.

“While this work is welcome and 

will deliver long-term benefits for road users, it is equally vital that collision remedial works are carried out at this stretch of road in the near future,” she continued.

“Fountain Street is becoming one of the town’s busiest thoroughfares and only last week a small dog was run over at this location.”

Councillor Bailie suggested that although most collisions are caused by human error, there are some occasions when road improvements can help reduce or prevent collisions taking place. She said Fountain Street is one such location.