The NI Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy has welcomed Roads Service's progress on investment totalling £2.8 million for structural road maintenance in the Down area this year.

Speaking ahead of a meeting between Roads Service and Down District Council, the Minister said: "Roads Service remains committed to ensuring that it can make best use of our resources and continues to deliver quality public services."

He also noted that improvement works have been completed on the B2 Downpatrick Road at Magheralone Road, Annacloy; and the Vianstown Road at Bonecastle Road, Downpatrick. "Both schemes entailed road widening and visibility improvements. This will significantly improve safety for drivers along these busy stretches of carriageway.

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"In addition, over four lane km of resurfacing has been completed so far in the District this year, with a further eight lane km programmed for completion by the end of the year. Resurfacing schemes have been completed at A24 Drumaness Road, Ballynahinch; A2 Dundrum Road, Clough; B7 Downpatrick Road, Annacloy and A25 Dublin Road, Kilcoo. Further schemes planned include the A2 Dundrum Road, Newcastle; Carlisle Park, Ballynahinch; Old Park Road, Drumaness and Scaddy Road, Crossgar."

Divisional Roads Manager Kevin Monaghan said: "A wide range of local schemes have been successfully planned and delivered in the Down District in the past 12 months.

"The ever tightening public expenditure environment in this current year is challenging. Despite this, I remain committed to developing a programme of high priority road improvement and maintenance schemes for the District, so that these can be delivered as resources permit."

(GK/KMcA)