Road improvements scheme in Newcastle

Road improvements scheme in Newcastle

25 June 2025

A LONG-AWAITED road resurfacing scheme is to take place in Newcastle.

The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has confirmed that Park Avenue has been added to the official schedule for full resurfacing.

While no firm date has been given for the commencement of the scheme, the announcement by the DfI is being seen as a significant step forward for local residents who have expressed concern over the road’s poor condition.

The announcement has also been welcomed by local SDLP councillor Laura Devlin and South Down MLA Colin McGrath.

Mr McGrath said: “This is welcome news for the people who live on or regularly use Park Avenue.

“Given it is the only vehicular access point for Castle Park, it is used all day every day, especially during the summer.

“The road has been in an atrocious state for far too long and I have raised this with DfI on numerous occasions. Securing its place on the resurfacing schedule means we are now on the right path to getting it fixed properly.”

Cllr Devlin said: “This will come as a relief to many in the community.

“Residents have had to put up with potholes and surface damage for years, and while we don’t yet have a start date, the confirmation that Park Avenue is included in the programme is a positive and long overdue development.”

Both politicians said they acknowledged the difficult financial pressures facing the Department and paid tribute to the work of its officers in continuing to progress local improvement schemes despite budget constraints.

Mr McGrath added: ”We know DfI is operating within a very tight budget, but we commend the officers who are still delivering improvements across our area.

“This is another example of the importance of continuing to press for investment in our local infrastructure.”