Work set to start at blackspot

The junction, where the A24 Carryduff Road meets the B6 Saintfield Road, has been described in the past as having become “synonymous with death and injury”.

Monday (June 13) should see work begin on a new roundabout at the crossroads, as part of a project including provision of a ‘Park and Share’ facility.

The scheme has been some time coming, then Roads Minister Danny Kennedy having in March 2014 announced plans for a roundabout which, it was hoped, would be completed by this year.

In February past DRD Minister Michelle McIlveen announced £1.25m in funding for a roundabout and Park and Share scheme to improve safety and access and reduce overall traffic volume.

Now Infrastructure minister Chris Hazzard has signalled the impending start of work he said would significantly improve safety for road-users and local residents.

“The provision of a roundabout at this busy junction will improve access from the Saintfield Road across the main A24 Carryduff Road,” he said.

“This investment will also provide a Park and Share facility on the western side of the Saintfield Road, close to local bus-stops.”

The new four-leg roundabout and realignment of the Saintfield Road approaching the junction is expected to take around seven months, finishing in February 2017, though dates are subject to favourable weather conditions, in respect of which TransportNI has undertaken to keep the public informed of any change.

It said too it had programmed the works operations and traffic management arrangements to minimise public inconvenience but lane restrictions would be in place and might mean some localised delays; motorists should allow additional time for journeys on the route.

Advanced warning signs will be erected to advise motorists.