Roads minister says Down not forgotten

Roads minister says Down not forgotten

21 August 2013

ROADS Minister Danny Kennedy has assured Down Council that problems with road congestion and infrastructure in the district have not been forgotten.

Council vice-chairman Gareth Sharvin and councillors Walter Lyons, William Dick and Dermot Curran were among those making up a delegation from the council at this week’s meeting in Belfast.

In particular the deputation highlighted the failure of Roads Service to progress key capital projects such as the Ballynahinch bypass, improvements to the A7 at Rowallane and the identified schemes to alleviate congestion in Downpatrick itself.

They also called on the minister to progress projects which the Roads Service has already identified as viable schemes.

“I welcomed the opportunity to meet with the minister to outline the council’s concerns at the lack of investment in the road infrastructure in the district over many years,” said councillor Sharvin.

“The meeting with Minister Danny Kennedy was to deliver the essential message, DRD needs to invest in Down District to help improve the road infrastructure and deliver on creating jobs.

“The minister had great understanding of the issues and said Down would not be forgotten for delivery of road improvements. The delegation was informed of the minister’s intention to deliver on small cluster schemes and he aimed to deliver those projects with the support of the Executive during the current Stormont term.

“This commitment is great news for Down District, which could see the small schemes such as the

link road across the PSNI site be created and implemented. The minister and his officials have committed to the improvements at Collins Corner and at Bishopsbrae hill to name a few.”

Councillor Dick also welcomed the minister’s undertaking to deliver on the smaller schemes and said he was hopeful that the A7 between Doran’s Rock and Rowallane will be included Ballynahinch councillor Walter Lyons spoke about his concern with regards to the lack of a start date for the Ballynahinch bypass scheme.

“Despite the key role played by Ballynahinch as the gateway to the tourist areas of Newcastle and the Mournes, it is disappointing that this project does not yet have a commencement date,” he said. “I have impressed upon the minister the need for the Ballynahinch bypass works, which must be prioritised.”

Councillors Curran and Lyons called upon the Minister to improve the transportation infrastructure and tackle congestion problems in Downpatrick and Ballynahinch.

Councillor Curran also took the opportunity to raise the issue of barriers being erected by Department of Regional Development in Strangford and the failure to manage traffic at peak times.