Improvement work to Ballygowan road

Improvement work to Ballygowan road

7 August 2013

WORK has commenced on a £218,000 resurfacing scheme at the Saintfield Road outside Ballygowan.

A 1.1 kilometre stretch is being resurfaced, with contractors starting work on the scheme at the Ballycloughan Road junction and heading towards Ballygowan.

Stormont Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy said the resurfacing scheme will greatly improve the strength and surface quality of the carriageway on the important route between Ballygowan and Saintfield.

He said to help minimise any potential conflict between the site works and traffic it will be necessary to operate lane closures with temporary traffic signals during normal working hours and road closures outside normal working hours.

Diversions during the road closures will be signposted via the A7 Belfast Road, Saintfield and B178 Hillsborough Road. Local access will be maintained, with work due to be completed by August 18.

News of the resurfacing scheme has been welcomed by Strangford MP Jim Shannon and Rowallane councillor Robert Burgess.

The MP said the road, which straddles the council areas of Down and Ards, is one of the busiest in the area, carrying a high volume and range of traffic.

While delighted with the Saintfield Road scheme, Mr. Shannon said there was still much resurfacing work to be carried out elsewhere in the constituency.

“The Saintfield Road scheme reduces the work list by one and will provide a modern, finished road surface for drivers,” the MP added.

Councillor Burgess was pleased work on the Saintfield Road scheme is underway and praised the efforts of those who had been lobbying for the investment.

He said while the Roads Service budget is under pressure from a number of competing schemes, he is delighted that a large section of one of the busiest routes in the Down and Ards council areas is to be resurfaced.

Councillor Burgess added: “This investment will be warmly welcomed by the many people who use this road which is used by a significant amount of traffic.”