Work continues on Frocess Road 'dualling' plans

An update was given at a meeting between Roads Service officials and Ballymoney Council where details of a number of schemes in the area were outlined.

Transport Minister Conor Murphy welcomed the successful completion of Roads Service's 2009/2010 programme of works and the planned 1.71million for structural road maintenance in the Ballymoney area this year.

The Minister said: "A range of local schemes has been delivered successfully by Roads Service in the past year. While the tightening public expenditure environment in the year ahead will be challenging, Roads Service remains committed to ensure it can make best use of our resources and continue to deliver quality public services."

The Minister noted the ongoing work on the proposal to dual part of the Northern Transport Corridor, on the A26 Frosses Road between Glarryford Crossroads and Ballycastle 'Fork'.

He said: "I announced the preferred route for the proposed dualling of the A26 Frosses Road between Glarryford Crossroads and Ballycastle Fork in August 2008. My Department is continuing to develop the design for this important road scheme in preparation for progressing the project through the necessary environmental, planning and land acquisition statutory procedures.

"These statutory procedures are expected to be published during the 2011/12 financial year. The April 2008 DRD Investment Delivery Plan for Roads anticipates advertisement of the scheme to the market and completion/delivery of the scheme in the period 2013/14 to 2017/18. "

DUP councillor John Finlay said some people are unhappy with parts of the plan with one person concerned about the impact of a park and ride carpark beside their home.

The councillor said he is keen for the dualling to go-ahead and also wants the dualling of the section from the Ballycastle turn-off to Coleraine to proceed at pace.