By-pass inquiry to be held in New Year

By-pass inquiry to be held in New Year

22 July 2015

ROADS officials have confirmed a public inquiry into Ballynahinch’s proposed £50m by-pass is likely to be held early in the New Year.

Formal consultation on the multi-million pound scheme linking the Newcastle and Belfast roads got underway last March after a number of key documents aimed at paving the way for the two mile by-pass were completed.

Roads engineers have finished a lengthy exercise preparing a detailed environmental statement, a draft vesting order and the final route of the by-pass, but a detailed economic appraisal is not yet ready.

The biggest ever roads scheme proposed for the district includes overtaking lanes and a shared path for pedestrians and cyclists on the western side of Ballynahinch, with the by-pass expected to make a “significant contribution” to the improvement of traffic conditions and congestion in the town centre.

As part of the by-pass development, major new roundabouts are proposed close to the Millbridge soccer pitch at the Newcastle Road and at the Saintfield Road junction at the Belfast Road on the other side of the town.

The Department of Regional Development has confirmed that during the eight week consultation period, when computer generated images of the proposed by-pass were on display in Ballynahinch Market House, over 500 people took the opportunity to view them.

The consultation provided an opportunity for people to support, object and comment on the environmental statement and other documents associated with the scheme, including the draft vesting orders and the route of the by-pass.

Roads officials were due to provide a progress report on the multi-million pound scheme two weeks ago but were sent home from the monthly meeting of Newry, Mourne and Down Council as politicians did not have time to meet with them. A new date for councillors meet with roads officials is being arranged.

However, councillors were provided with a detailed report of planned and current schemes detailed by the area’s most senior roads official, Simon Richardson.

His report confirms a number of objections were received during the consultation period on the Ballynahinch by-pass and “it is likely a public inquiry will be convened to determine of the scheme should go ahead as planned.”

Mr Richardson said it is envisaged that if a public inquiry is required, it would be held early next year.

Significantly, the senior roads official’s report confirms that the Ballynahinch scheme’s progression onto Transport NI’s construction programme remains “subject to the by-pass clearing statutory procedures, continuing to have a satisfactory economic appraisal and is dependent on funding made available in future budget settlements.”