TransportNI confirms infrastructure programme for Lisburn and Castlereagh

Eastern Divisional Manager Kevin Monaghan outlined the plans as he met with Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council to update members on the Department for Infrastructure’s programme for the area.

He also provided members with details on progress of schemes underway in the Lisburn and Castlereagh district.

Addressing Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Mr Monaghan said: “In the next six months, the council area will see the completion of a number of infrastructure projects that will realise significant benefits for both the local community and commuters.

“Site work is nearing completion for the £1.3million upgrade to the A24 Old Ballynahinch Road at Temple Crossroads, Lisburn, which includes the provision of a new four arm roundabout along the A24 Old Ballynahinch Road, incorporating the realignment of existing approaches from the B6 Saintfield Road.

“The coming months will see a number of resurfacing schemes completed, including the Culcavy Road, Hillsborough; Newton Park, Castlereagh; the C363 Moira Road (A1 to Kilwarlin Road); and the Glenavy Road, Lisburn.”

Mr Monaghan was also able to advise the Council that additional funding secured in October monitoring will facilitate the delivery of a further £1.1million of structural maintenance work in the Council area this financial year.

He said: “Work is completed on the provision of a pedestrian footpath with street lighting to link existing footpaths at Prince William Road and Drumard Crescent and work is also completed at the A3 Moira Road junction with Knockmore Road with an upgrade of existing traffic signals and crossing facilities including additional pedestrian phase and the addition of filter arrow in association with resurfacing.”

Concluding, Mr Monaghan said: “It is also worth noting other projects in the area recently completed, including a £400,000 carriageway widening and realignment to improve sight lines and forward visibility on the B23 Hillhall Road / Glen Road and a range of other Local Traffic and Safety Measures have also already been delivered.”

Meanwhile Lagan Valley MLA Jenny Palmer urged the infastructure minister to “give cast iron guarantees” on provide the funding for these schemes, she said: “While I warmly welcome TransportNI’s progress on these much-needed schemes, it is essential the Sinn Fein Minister responsible for infrastructure gives constituents a firm pledge that he will ‘splash the cash’ on them.

“We do not want to see a situation emerging in the future than we have a statement from the Minister admitting he does not have the necessary funding to complete these projects. Lagan Valley constituents need positive action from the Minister, not empty rhetoric,” said Mrs Palmer.