Maydown traffic flow no bearing on bypass

NO traffic flow survey has been conducted on the A2 Maydown to City of Derry Airport dual carriageway since its completion in February and although a survey is planned the Road minister Danny Kennedy does not believe traffic flows at Maydown will have any influence on the need for a bypass at Ballykelly.

The Minister gave his view in response to an Assembly Question by East Londonderry MLA Gregory Campbell.

Mr Campbell asked Mr Kennedy if he will assess the level of daily vehicle usage of the A2 dual carriageway between Maydown and Londonderry Airport to ascertain the need for the Ballykelly By-Pass.

He replied: “My Department’s Roads Service regularly monitors traffic flows across the road network and will continue to do so.

“No traffic flow surveys have been carried out along the new A2 Maydown to City of Derry Airport dual carriageway scheme since its completion in February 2011, however, surveys are currently being planned.

“It is unlikely that the traffic flows at this location will influence the need for the A2 Ballykelly Bypass.”

Notwithstanding this the Roads Minister said he remained committed to the bypass saying it made economic sense.

“The preferred route for the Ballykelly Bypass was announced in March 2010, at which time a Cost Benefit Analysis, which is a measure of the scheme’s economic viability, confirmed that it would deliver a positive economic return,” he stated.

“Traffic flows used for the A2 Ballykelly Bypass preferred route assessment were ascertained by undertaking surveys in November 2008.

“The results of which were: 13,845 vehicles to the west of the village; and 14,792 vehicles to the east of the village,” he added.