£1.4 million spent on Moyle roads

Speaking regarding a meeting between Roads Service and Moyle District Council, the Minister said: “Last year’s budget for structural maintenance and local transport and safety measures allowed a good range of such schemes to be successfully delivered by Roads Service.

“Roads Service’s budgets for road maintenance and improvement schemes are greatly reduced this year, in line with the four year budget agreed by the Executive. However, Roads Service is using its available resources effectively and continuing to deliver quality public services,” said Mr Kennedy.

“Preparatory work on the A26 Frosses Road dual carriageway scheme between Glarryford crossroads and Drones Road is progressing well. I announced the publication of the Draft Statutory Orders in March which was followed by a public exhibition event which gave the public an opportunity to view the proposals and speak to a Roads Service Team.

“Depending on the comments received, a Public Inquiry into the scheme may be held in the autumn of this year. Due to the two-fifths reduction in the 2011-2015 NI budget, construction of the scheme will not take place until after 2015 at the earliest.”

The Minister also welcomed Roads Service’s ‘Safer Routes to School Programme’ which included the completion of a scheme on Glenshesk Road, Hillside Road and Drones Road on the approaches to St. Olcan’s Primary School, Armoy which involved new school warning signs, red surfacing and school markings.

Speaking at the meeting, Roads Service Divisional Roads Manager Deidre Mackle welcomed last year’s record expenditure on structural maintenance which allowed Roads Service to deliver many much needed projects. A total of 21.65km of resurfacing was completed in the Council area last year.

Significant lengths of resurfacing were completed at A2 Cushendall Road, Ballycastle, A43 Glenariff Road, Waterfoot, A2 Loughareema Road, Cushendall and B67 Moyarget Road, Ballycastle.

Road improvement schemes delivered last year included footway provision on the A2 Cushendall Road at Ballyvoy and on the B146 Causeway Road at Currysheskin.

A ‘route treatment’ scheme along the A44 Drones Road/Magheramore Road between Armoy and Ballycastle has also been completed.

The works included enhancing lining and signing along the route. The aim of the scheme is to reduce collisions by improving motorists’ awareness of the road characteristics.