NI's Roads Service and its contractors have been congratulated for the completion of the 2010/2011 programme of works and welcomed the planned £4.1million for structural road maintenance in Omagh District this year.

Stormont Transport Minister Danny Kennedy said: "Despite last year’s reduced budget for local transport and safety measures, a good range of such schemes has been successfully delivered by Roads Service.

"While the tightening public expenditure environment is due to continue, Roads Service is using its available resources effectively and continuing to deliver quality public services."

Speaking on strategic road improvements, Mr Kennedy welcomed the opening of the new £150 million A4 dual carriageway between the M1 and Ballygawley.

He said: "This was the longest length of dual carriageway or motorway ever constructed in Northern Ireland.

"The A4 dualling will benefit Omagh district in terms of safety and shortened journey times to and from Belfast. Also included in the A4 dualling contract were realignments at A4 Annaghilla and A5 Tullyvar which were opened to traffic in March last year.

"This project is the most significant development of the road network in Western Division to date and it has been very well received by the travelling public and elected representatives.

"Roads Service is continuing to progress the design of a number of carriageway improvement schemes along the A32, Omagh to Enniskillen route. Advance works on the first of these has already commenced at Drumskinny and completion of this section will be delivered before the end of the current financial year.

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"The first of the off-line realignments will be at Shannaragh and it is intended to commence works there in December 2011 and to complete the works in 2012." he continued.

A5 Inquiry

In relation to the A5 Western Transport Corridor (WTC) Mr Kennedy said: "During 2010/11 development of the A5 WTC project continued on schedule.

The draft Statutory Orders and Environmental Statement were published in November 2010 and followed by a formal consultation period which ended in January 2011.

"Over 2,000 comments and objections were received during the consultation period and resulted in the holding of a public enquiry.

The A5WTC Public Inquiry started on the 9 May 2011 and is programmed to run for eight weeks ending in early July 2011."

The Minister also welcomed Roads Service’s proposed programme for the year ahead including major trunk road resurfacing schemes on the A505 Killyclogher Road and the A32 near Newpark Road junction.

Divisional Roads Manager Mr Pat Doherty welcomed the continued investment in road maintenance, which is helping to rectify the damage caused by the severe weather conditions last winter.

He said: "In the Omagh District, £4.7million was spent on Structural Maintenance during 2010/11. 85% of this spend was on the District’s minor route network. The year end figures showed a substantial increase in the initial budget of £3.3million. In total 35 kilometres of carriageway were resurfaced, the most significant schemes being the A5 Curr Road, A32 Clanabogan Road, B4 Drumlish Road, C614 Gortnagarn Road.

"Other significant projects completed include the completion of the road realignment at A32 Clanabogan Road, cycle paths at Great Northern Road and Glenpark Road, traffic calming in Seskinore, a new pedestrian crossing in Dromore and the completion of street lighting renewal in Strathroy, Omagh."

Roads Service also presented the Council with a programme for the 2011/2012 local transport and safety measures, bridge strengthening and street lighting schemes in the District. Significant schemes in the programme include double right turning lane to be provided on the A505 at Creggan crossroads, a left turning lane on the Hospital Road, Omagh at Swinging Bars roundabout, a new footbridge at Irishtown Road near King James Bridge, traffic calming in Drumquin, strengthening of Strule Bridge, Drumragh Avenue, Omagh and an increased number of street lighting renewal schemes in Omagh town.

See: Hope For Postponed A2 Dualling Scheme

(GK/BMcC)