£250,000 resurfacing project confirmed

THE Castlewellan Road at Ballydown is in line for a £250,000 resurfacing project, Roads Minister Danny Kennedy has announced.

The work will start on August 12 and Roads Service aims to have it completed before the new school year begins at the nearby Ballydown Primary School.

The Minister said: “Benefits of this scheme include not only improved surface quality and skid resistance but also better road drainage for road users on this important route across County Down.”

The news has been welcomed by the minister’s party colleague, Upper Bann MLA Mrs Jo-Anne Dobson.

“This announcement from the DRD Minister equates to an investment of over a quarter of a million pounds in our local roads infrastructure,” she said.

“Roads Service have said disruption during the works at Ballydown will be kept to a minimum.

“This is great news for the people of Banbridge and will be in place before the new school year begins at Ballydown Primary School.”

Traffic diversions will be in place with traffic diverted via the Rathfriland Road and the Katesbridge Road.

For drivers who use this as a through route between Banbridge and Castlewellan, an alternative route using the road from Banbridge to Rathfriland and the route from Rathfriland to Castlewellan may be appropriate.

Within the Banbridge District, work has already been completed on resurfacing schemes on the Commercial Road roundabout, Drumneath Road and Flough Road Banbridge and the Redhill Road, Dromore.

Work has also recently been completed on the Ballynafoy Road and Ballycross Road.

A DRD spokesperson said, “Roads Service has carefully programmed the works operations and traffic management arrangements in order to minimise any inconvenience to the public, however, motorists should be aware that some delays may be expected, especially where roads have to be closed, and that additional time should be allowed when planning any journeys.”

The news comes in the wake of complaints from cyclists after a new survey issued by the national charity Cycle Touring Club said that more potholes than ever before are being reported - and the district was no exception. Damage repair bills are costing people who take up the sport as a hobby hundreds and, in some cases, thousands of pounds.

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