Public inquiry into £50m town by-pass

Public inquiry into £50m town by-pass

27 January 2016

A PUBLIC inquiry into plans for a new multi-million pound by-pass in Ballynahinch got underway in the town yesterday morning.

The public probe of what will be the biggest ever road project constructed in the district was held at the Millbrook Lodge Hotel and is scheduled to conclude later today. The near two-mile by-pass — which could cost up to £50m —  will link the Newcastle and Belfast roads. 

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. 

The by-pass will also pass under part of the Crossgar Road with overtaking lanes proposed at either end of the new by-pass. A new bridge will be built as part of the major construction programme to take traffic over Ballynahinch River. 

Roads officials insist the Ballynahinch by-pass will “greatly benefit both strategic and local road users by reducing journey times and improving road safety.” They say the scheme’s economic assessment demonstrates that the by-pass would provide a good economic return.

The purpose of the two-day inquiry is to enable objectors, supporters and promoters to present their evidence before independent inspector, Mike Shanks.

Yesterday’s inquiry session was addressed by senior officials from the Department of Regional Development (DRD) and a team of specialist consultants acting on its behalf. 

They were joined by a number of politicians who voiced support for the multi-million pound project, including councillors Billy Walker — who was representing Strangford MP Jim Shannon — Garth Craig and Terry Andrews. Castlewellan resident, Mark Gould, also spoke in favour of the by-pass.

The politicians outlined the major contribution the by-pass will make to addressing town centre congestion making the area safer for pedestrians. They also argued it would help kick-start the town’s economic recovery by encouraging shoppers back to Ballynahinch.

Politicians said it’s important that once the inquiry process has been completed and the various issues addressed, the necessary funding to allow this much-needed scheme to proceed is made available.

Concerns about the impact of the scheme was scheduled to be expressed by a representative of several families, Maguire Hotels which owns the Millbrook Lodge and Ballynahinch United which will lose a training pitch at its base which is close to the proposed new roundabout at the Newcastle Road junction with the Downpatrick Road.

At the outset of the inquiry, DRD barrister, Francis O’Reilly, said some would argue the proposed by-pass has been in the offing for three decades. He said it is not an exaggeration to suggest the Ballynahinch scheme has had “substantial support” both from individuals, politicians and, in particular, many who travel the road which links Belfast with Newcastle.

“There are two main purposes of the scheme which are of equal importance; to provide a safe driving route between the two proposed roundabouts and to relieve what must be obviously clear to everyone, the severe and almost continual congestion in the centre of Ballynahinch, particularly during peak times,” continued Mr O’Reilly.

“Inevitably, this type of scheme involves acquisition of land and inevitably there are casualties when a scheme of this nature is brought forward.”

Mr O’Reilly said Transport NI and its consultants have met with interested parties, including land and business owners and, where possible, have tried to resolve issues that have occurred. He said while some issues were resolved, some have not and “unfortunately won’t be.”

The DRD barrister conceded there will be those who will be “genuinely effected” by the proposed by-pass, whether through the loss of land or through the proximity of the new road to their homes. Mr O’Reilly said where possible, substantial measures of mitigation will be carried out, including landscaping, adding: “Hopefully with the passage of time and the maturing of landscape, the effects of the scheme will be lessened.”