Department planning to advance by-pass project

Department planning to advance by-pass project

11 January 2017

THE Department for Infrastructure has formally published its intention to proceed with Ballynahinch’s new by-pass.

The move comes just a few weeks after Stormont Roads Minister Chris Hazzard confirmed the scheme would go ahead, once the cash for the project was available.

Mr Hazzard has accepted the recommendations of the public inquiry into the scheme held 12 months ago and ordered that it be prepared to the shovel ready stage.

He also revealed the cost of the project designed to alleviate chronic town centre congestion will be £35m — £15m less than had been estimated.

Public scrutiny into plans for the multi-million pound scheme took place during a two-day inquiry held at the start of last year when it was suggested the by-pass could take around 18 months to construct.

The independent inspector who listened to the evidence presented during the hearing reported his findings to the Department of Infrastructure last March and concluded the scheme should proceed. Mr Hazzard has accepted the inspector’s various recommendations, with roads officials currently moving to complete all the necessary statutory procedures so the scheme is ready to go when finance is available.

The publication of the notice to proceed, alongside the scheme’s environmental statement, ends decades of campaigning for the road which has been designed to not only address town centre gridlock and along the main approach roads to Ballynahinch, but help kick-start its economic regeneration.

Mr Hazzard said progressing the by-pass represented “significant investment” for the area and improve journey time reliability and road safety.

Consultation will now begin with key stakeholders and in particular landowners affected by the scheme with a view to minimising the related impacts.

In addition to the major new roundabouts which form part of the major Ballynahinch scheme, a new bridge will be constructed over the Moss Road, with the by-pass passing under part of the Crossgar Road. A 90 metre long bridge will also be built to take traffic over Ballynahinch River.

Overtaking lanes stretching almost 900 metres are proposed at either end of the by-pass where the major new roundabouts are to be constructed, with the scheme also including a shared footpath and cycle lane. 

Roads officials say the scheme’s economic assessment demonstrates that it would provide a good economic return with its implementation greatly benefiting both strategic and local road users by reducing journey times, improving journey time reliability and safety on the A24 Belfast to Newcastle trunk road. 

It has been confirmed that vesting orders to secure the land to allow the by-pass to proceed cannot be issued until money is secured to construct the scheme.