M1/A1 link still on the cards - if money is available

However, Lagan Valley MLA Paul Givan has questioned whether, given the current economic climate, the scheme will ever come to fruition.

"Proposals to link the M1 motorway with the A1 are being developed and should improve traffic flow, deliver improved journey times and reduce congestion in the Sprucefield area," Mr Murphy said as the Roads Service gave its annual report to Lisburn council.

"Planned commercial development will be recognised within a range of options currently being formulated. Once complete, these will be open to public scrutiny with the favoured option subject to the normal statutory processes."

And according to the Department for Regional Development's Investment Delivery Plan for Roads, the estimated date for the scheme is between 2014 and 2018, subject to the availability of funding.

However, at this month's meeting of the Council's Planning Committee, which was attended by representatives from Roads Service, Mr Givan asked whether this was a realistic time scale.

He also questioned whether private money could be found to fund the scheme and whether any conditions had been placed on the John Lewis development which could see the developer helping to fund the work, if the planning application gets the go ahead.

Divisional Road Manager, Mr Ken Hutton, said no road conditions had been placed on the application for the John Lewis development and it would be a case of "wait and see" if the funding can be found for the scheme.

"There will not be any conditions on the John Lewis site," he said. "We don't believe the traffic assessment would justify that condition."

He added: "We are looking at a range of options but it is up to the Minister to decide on funding. We will just have to wait and see what money is available."