Hillhall Road improvement scheme not value for money - Craig

The improvement scheme is widening the carriageway and putting in a footpath on a stretch of raod between Hillhall Presbyterian and the Glen Road.

But after being told the cost in an answer to an Assembly written question to Regional Development Minister, Danny Kennedy, Mr Craig said he was amazed users would see so little difference in the road for the money spent.

“I am extremely concerned at the impression this large amount of expenditure of public money will have on the wider public opinion in Lagan Valley,” said Mr Craig. “I have regularly travelled on this section of the Hillhall Road and am quite shocked at how few developments have taken place on this particular site.

“Roads Service has spent in the region of £300,000 on measures which were to include the removal of roadside hazards and the widening of the road surface. In the response I received from the Minister he suggested that the widening of these bends would improve the consistency of road widths along the length of the Hillhall Road.

“While I welcome the laying of a new road surface, I believe that people will be alarmed that having spent £300,000 on this project, road users will not see major evidence of the road being straightened as was promised by the previous Minister.

“I welcome each minor improvement to this location but it is my hope that in the future, Roads Service will learn from this scheme and should be more careful and accountable with public finances in forthcoming road improvement schemes.”