Draft submission for A26 Dualling

During a Development Committee meeting, members heard: ‘The Department of Regional Development has decided to hold local public inquiries to consider the opinions expressed in relation to the proposal.

‘Ms Eileen Brady has been appointed by the Department as an inspector to hold the inquiries which will commence on 5th November in Ballymena. The notice, specifying the details of the inquiries has been published in the local press. A document containing the Departments proposals is available from the Office of the Chief Executive.

‘The Chief Executive’s of Ballymena and other Councils on the A26 corridor have discussed the matter with a view to submitting a collective response to the Minister and the Public Inquiry. Ballymena Council will contact us with further details in due course.

‘It is recommended that Council join with the other councils in making a submission to the Public Inquiry and bear a share of the costs involved.

‘It was proposed by Cllr Ian Stevenson seconded by Cllr William Blair and agreed that Council join with the other councils on the route in making a submission to the Public Inquiry and bear a share of the costs involved.

It was reported that Ballymena Borough Council are currently gathering information from Councils on responses to date to facilitate a joint response. In response Cllr John Finlay said it was ‘OK to make the submission’ however explained that ‘some people are still not happy with the route of the A26 Dualling’.

The Chief Executive, Mr John Dempsey urged that Council ‘does not get involved in individual cases that people are taking to the public inquiry’ adding: “We just say that there is a need for the dualling ie for tourism etc.”

Cllr Finlay welcomed the decision.