THE re-establishment of the Stormont Executive has led to fresh calls for work to start on Ballynahinch’s proposed multi-million pound bypass.
Newly appointed Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon is being urged to signal the start of construction work on the scheme which is estimated to cost in excess of £35m.
South Down MP Chris Hazzard — a former roads minister in a previous Executive who signed off the eagerly-awaited bypass in December 2016 — has written to Ms Mallon seeking an assurance that the Ballynahinch scheme remains a priority for her department and that construction work will start as soon as possible.
In addition, Rowallane councillor Billy Walker is tabling a notice of motion at the February meeting of Newry, Mourne and Down Council seeking across-the-board political support to seek an urgent meeting with Ms Mallon discuss the next step in the construction of the bypass.
He also confirmed that Strangford MP, Jim Shannon, has written to Ms Mallon on the issue and is seeking a meeting with her to discuss the issue.
There has been major progress on work on the near two-mile scheme to link the Newcastle and Saintfield roads, with work already completed on a major archaeological investigation along parts of the route.
Work was due to complete on the scheme’s economic appraisal before the end of last year, with roads engineers confirming recently that in order to advance the bypass scheme’s state of readiness, preparatory work on contract documents was ongoing to “minimise the time required to initiate a procurement competition, should funding become available for construction”.
The by-pass, which would be the single biggest road scheme ever constructed in the district, is expected to take in excess of 18 months to build, with roads officials insisting that it will greatly benefit both strategic and local road users by reducing journey times and improving road safety.
They are also confident that the scheme’s economic assessment demonstrates the by-pass would provide a good economic return.
The scheme is designed to alleviate chronic town centre congestion in Ballynahinch and along the main approach roads to the town.
Major new roundabouts are proposed at the Belfast Road junction with the Saintfield Road and at the Newcastle Road junction with the Downpatrick Road, with a new bridge constructed over the Moss Road.
It is also proposed that a section of the bypass will pass under part of the Crossgar Road with a 90 metre long bridge constructed to take traffic over Ballynahinch River.
Overtaking lanes stretching almost 900 metres are proposed at either end of the bypass where major new roundabouts are to be constructed, with the scheme also including a shared footpath and cycle lane.
Mr Hazzard said that following his decision to formally sign off the scheme at the end of 2016, the government department had been working through various legal stages to ensure the scheme could commence as soon as possible.
“A programme of geotechnical investigation works on lands along the length of the scheme was completed in 2017 with advanced archeological investigation works completed last year,” he confirmed.
“This allowed the Department to move ahead with the final stage of preparing contract documentation in readiness of funding becoming available to construct the scheme.”
Mr Hazzard added: “With an Infrastructure Minister now in place following the restoration of Stormont this week, funding should now be signed off and construction allowed to commence as soon as possible.”
Cllr Walker said it was the view of many, including senior roads engineers, that the multi-million pound scheme was vital to the survival of Ballynahinch town centre and will play a significant role in helping boost the wider South Down economy.
He said given that the project is shovel ready, it is essential that the cash is earmarked to allow construction work to start this year is forthcoming.
“Moving forward what is now required is the finance to build this scheme,” continued Cllr Walker.
“It is clear to me that when you look at other parts of Northern Ireland that Down District has consistently missed out on major roads funding. That must change and the cash needed to build Ballynahinch’s new bypass must be made available.”
The Rowallane councillor said that the bypass can help kick-start the economic regeneration of Ballynahinch town centre and act as a catalyst to encourage new investment.
Cllr Walker added: “The eagerly-awaited scheme can address town centre gridlock and along the main approach roads. Ballynahinch is used as a gateway by visitors to Newcastle and the wider Mournes area in particular and we need to see work on the by-pass starting as soon as possible.”