Ballynahinch by-pass route is given approval by Stormont

Ballynahinch by-pass route is given approval by Stormont

25 January 2012 - by DAVID TELFORD

THE construction of a new £50m by-pass in Ballynahinch has taken an important step forward.

Stormont Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy confirmed late yesterday afternoon that the route of the two-mile by-pass has been formally approved.

The news came during a debate at the Assembly on the crucial importance of the new link between the Newcastle and Belfast roads, one week after it was revealed that £60m will be made available in two years’ time for road schemes in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Kennedy said the route of the by-pass — which will include a new junction at the Crossgar Road — has been approved following a public consultation and exhibition of the proposed scheme. The Minister said the Roads Service has considered the views of the public and approved the preferred line of the multi-million pound by-pass.

During yesterday evening’s Stormont debate, Mr. Kennedy said the line of the by-pass will run from the junction of the Belfast and Saintfield roads north of the town, to the junction of the Downpatrick and Drumaness roads, south of Ballynahinch.

“The preferred line for the by-pass has been decided after consideration of comprehensive environmental, engineering and economic assessments as well as comments from the public and subsequent representations, including requests for a junction at the Crossgar Road,” he told the Assembly.

“I met recently with elected representatives, traders and Down Council officials in Ballynahinch to see for myself the road network and traffic conditions in the town. These views and the public’s comments have been reflected in the Roads Service’s plans for the new by-pass.”

Construction work on the by-pass, expected to cost between £40m and £50m, will involve substantial earthworks to traverse the drumlin topography and ground conditions along the route, which includes the flood plain of the Ballynahinch River.

It has also been confirmed that three substantial structures will be required where the by-pass crosses Moss Road, Crossgar Road and the Ballynahinch River.

Politicians were told yesterday that traffic modelling for the scheme indicates that a substantial proportion of vehicles passing through Ballynahinch on

the existing A24 trunk road

may be expected to use a new by-pass, making a significant contribution to the improvement of traffic conditions in the town centre.

Mr. Kennedy added: “Strategic road improvement schemes of the nature and scale of the proposed Ballynahinch by-pass can only be provided at considerable cost, which in this case is estimated to be in the range of £40m to £50m.

“This level of funding is not available in the current budget period but Roads Service will continue to progress the Ballynahinch scheme, as resources allow, so that it may be ready for construction should finance become available.”

It has been confirmed that the Roads Service will now develop what’s being described as a “specimen design,” undertaking more detailed environmental, engineering and economic assessments in preparation for progressing the scheme through the various statutory procedures.