Fresh calls for action have been made to end the years-long delay surrounding the development of the Larne West Distributor Road.

The route, also known as the Ballyloran link road was intended to connect hundreds of homes in Larne West to the wider roads network.

However, a section at the southern end of the spine road remains in private ownership and has not been constructed.

Traffic congestion, particularly at Donaghy’s Lane and Antiville Road has been a long-running problem for residents of the area.

Fresh calls for action have been made to end the years-long delay surrounding the development of the Larne West Distributor Road. Photo: NI World

placeholder image — Fresh calls for action have been made to end the years-long delay surrounding the development of the Larne West Distributor Road. Photo: NI World

In February 2025, the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman accepted a complaint from East Antrim MLA John Stewart’s office in relation to the development of the road.

The complaint dated back to the 1997 approval of a planning application for housing in the area.

The Ombudsman’s report notes that: “The central issue relates to an unconstructed 150 metre stretch of the Larne West Distributor Road.”

Further complicating the issue was the transfer of planning powers from the then-Department of the Environment to local councils, with the report finding maladministration in the failure to apply conditions at the time to ensure the timely delivery of the road.

It also called on the Department for Infrastructure to “redouble its efforts and meet with Mid and East Antrim Council and other stakeholders in an effort to bring about a resolution”, giving a timeframe of six months from the date of the report.

During a meeting at Stormont in June, the issue was put to Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins by elected representatives, including East Antrim MLAs Danny Donnelly and John Stewart.

Responding, the Minister repeated the Department’s position that the completion of the road was developer-led.

However, Mr Stewart urged DfI to ‘consider all options’ to resolve the issue. “The infrastructure in Larne West is shambolic and is failing residents and commuters on a daily basis,” he added.

“The Ombudsman’s Report was clear that they told DfI to report back to them with a plan to resolve the Ballyloran link road saga. The Department’s local officials need to [speak] to all stakeholders, consider all options - including vesting - and report back with proposed solutions to the Antiville Road bottlenecks in an open and transparent manner before the summer is out.”

In an open letter seen by the Larne Times, a resident of the area urged local politicians to work together to tackle the lack of progress on the road.

"The people of Larne have been promised the benefits of this road for years. Public money has been committed to the project, yet residents, commuters, and businesses continue to suffer the consequences of congestion, delays, and inadequate transport infrastructure that the link road was intended to address,” the letter notes.

"The link road is not simply another infrastructure project. It is a vital investment in Larne's future. It was intended to improve traffic flow, enhance road safety, provide better access to Larne Harbour, support local businesses, and encourage economic growth. Every year of delay represents a lost opportunity for the town and a failure to deliver on commitments made to the public.

“[Residents] urge all local politicians and councillors, regardless of party affiliation, to work together and demonstrate the leadership necessary to resolve the remaining obstacles. The people of Larne deserve to see this project completed without any further delay.”