Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy.
The North’s Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has set out TransportNI’s progress on investment totalling £6million for road improvement schemes in the Derry area this year.
Speaking ahead of this evening’s meeting between TransportNI and Derry City Council, the Minister said: “A wide range of maintenance and road improvement schemes are planned or already complete in the Derry area.
‘’Work on the £1million resurfacing contracts on the A2 Buncrana Road from Messines Park to the Border were completed in September 2014. These were essential road improvement schemes within the Council area. The 2.8km of resurfacing will greatly improve the strength and surface quality of the carriageway on this main cross border route between Derry and Donegal.
“The autumn round of Council meetings is a timely opportunity for Councils to discuss potential schemes and priorities.
“The impact of current resource budget pressures on my Department is affecting road improvement schemes and routine maintenance of the road network. While there remain pressures on budgets, Departmental officials will continue to develop local transport and safety measures schemes and resurfacing schemes, to enhance safety, improve traffic flow and provide measures for pedestrians and cyclists. I will, however, continue to bid in monitoring rounds for further funding that would allow the integrity of the road network to be maintained and improved.
“Officials from my Department are currently engaging with the Chief Executives of the new Councils to ensure the transition from 26 to 11 Councils enables us to continue our good working relationships with councillors and the new Councils.”
At the meeting, Divisional Manager Conor Loughrey highlighted a number of road improvement schemes currently planned or progressed.
Work on the £195,000 cycling provision scheme on Springtown Road is ongoing and when completed will extend the footway/cycle path network by 900metres from Northland Road to St Eithne’s Primary School.
He welcomed the completion of the footway/cycle path upgrade at Waterside Link from the train station to Ebrington Square, a traffic calming scheme at Foyle Crescent and Safer Routes to School schemes at Drumahoe Primary School and Thornhill College.
Conor Loughrey said: “I am also pleased to report that a traffic signal upgrade at Strand Road/Meadowbank Avenue has commenced, the partial signalisation on Pennyburn roundabout is planned for early 2015 and various options are being explored to improve traffic progression at Caw Roundabout.”
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