Transport Minister Danny Kennedy congratulated Roads Service and its contractors for the successful completion of the 2010/2011 programme of works and welcomed the planned £0.8million for structural road maintenance in Carrickfergus this year.

Speaking ahead of this evening's meeting between Roads Service and Carrickfergus Borough Council, the Minister 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.

“Preparatory work for the planned dualling of the A2 at Greenisland was progressed with the Notice to Proceed and Direction Order published on 1 October 2008. The NI Executive’s budget for 2011-15 precludes the scheme being progressed further during this timeframe. I remain confident however that the economic revival will subsequently facilitate progression of the final Statutory Notice, the Vesting Order and delivery of this important scheme.”

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The Minister also welcomed Roads Service’s proposed programme for the year ahead including further roll out of the Safer Routes to School Programme to include Woodburn primary school; traffic calming at Station Road, Greenisland and street lighting schemes at Barn Road, Coronation Road and Fergus Avenue, Carrickfergus.

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Divisional Roads Manager, Bertie Ellison, welcomed the continued investment in road maintenance, which is helping to rectify the damage caused by the severe weather conditions last winter.

He said that during 2010/11 these included culvert replacement on the A2 Larne Road near Ballycarry plus drainage schemes at 196 Shore Road, Carrickfergus and 144 Shore Road, Greenisland.

In addition, 2.519km of carriageway resurfacing was completed which included stretches of the Upper Road and Station Road, Greenisland; Oakfield Drive and Taylors Avenue, Carrickfergus and Larne Road, Whitehead.

This was complimented by 1.46km of footway resurfacing which included Larne Road, Eden plus Model Avenue and Green Street Carrickfergus.

(GK)