New A26 roundabout would cost nearly £1m

THE Roads Service has revealed a scheme to install a roundabout at the junction of the A26 Moira and Ballinderry Roads could cost almost £1 million. However, local residents have said it is worth the expense if it saves lives.

Motorists have long been complaining about the busy junction near Upper Ballinderry and the matter was raised by Councillor Thomas Beckett at a recent meeting with Roads Service.

Following the meeting Roads Service reported a Route Improvement Study for the Moira Road/Glenavy Road Corridor has been carried out which identified a number of proposals along the route, including the improvement of the Moira Road/Old Road junction and the provision of a roundabout at the Moira Road/Ballinderry Road junction.

A spokesperson for Roads Service went on to explain: "Topographical surveys for each of the potential schemes along the A26 have recently been completed to determine the level and layout of the existing junctions. This information will allow the completion of the scheme design for each proposal and identification of a definitive land take and scheme cost."

He went on to say: "Initial findings have shown that a scheme to provide a roundabout at the Moira Road/Ballinderry Road junction would require large scale earth works and land take, carriageway realignment and would subsequently be a large scale Minor Works scheme costing in the region of 900,000."

He added that the scheme design will identify the cost and scale of the works to allow the scheme to be "prioritised and added to a list of potential Minor Works Schemes."

One local resident said that, despite the cost involved, the improved road safety would make the scheme worthwhile.

"That junction is a nightmare," she said. "You really do take your life in your hands when you use it. 900,000 is a small price to pay if it saves a life."

Related topics: