New pledge on town’s new road

Funding has been made available for the completion of Millennium Way though there are still a few hoops to jump through in order for work to start.
By The Newsroom
Published 19th Jun 2014, 11:53 BST

Sam Gardiner MLA has said that he has had a positive answer from Roads Minister Danny Kennedy MLA on the future of the Millenium Way in Lurgan. The MLA has been pressing the Minister for action on this front.

I asked the Minister to give me details of the funds allocated to the Millenium Way project in the current financial year.

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In his answer Minister Kennedy said : “My Department is continuing to develop the Extension to Millennium Way scheme and work is ongoing to finalise the detailed design for the proposal. The acquisition of land for the scheme requires a Vesting Order and it is hoped to publish the draft Notice of Intention to Make the Vesting Order in the near future. A Public Inquiry may also be required to determine if the level of land take identified is appropriate.

The road sign for Banbridge may soon point straight ahead if plans to extend Millennium Way get the go ahead. INLM0712-131gcThe road sign for Banbridge may soon point straight ahead if plans to extend Millennium Way get the go ahead. INLM0712-131gc
The road sign for Banbridge may soon point straight ahead if plans to extend Millennium Way get the go ahead. INLM0712-131gc

I can confirm the appropriate level of funding for progression of the design and other scheme development work has been made available. In relation to funding for lands acquisition and compensation, I can also confirm funding is available should the Vesting Order become operative during this financial year. However, this does not include funding for construction as the Extension to Millennium Way proposal is not in a position to start in the current financial year.

However, a bid has been submitted with a view to commencing construction in 2015/16, subject to the bid being successful, the proposal continuing to have a satisfactory economic appraisal and clearing the Vesting Order statutory procedure.”

“This is good news,” said Mr Gardiner because the funding is now in place for design and development work and for any vesting of land required. As well as this a bid is out for construction work to begin in 2015. That is all positive news showing an Ulster Unionist Minister delivering for Lurgan and Upper Bann. I am delighted at the progress.”