Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has congratulated Roads Service and its contractors for the successful completion of the 2010/2011 programme of works and welcomed the planned £3.7 million for structural road maintenance in Strabane area this year.

Speaking ahead of a meeting earlier this week between Roads Service and Strabane District 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," said Mr Kennedy.

Speaking on strategic road improvements 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 2000 comments and objections were received during the consultation period and resulted in the holding of a public enquiry. The A5WTC Public Enquiry commenced on the 9 May 2011 and is programmed to run for eight weeks ending in early July 2011."

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The Minister also welcomed Roads Service’s proposed programme for the year ahead including major trunk road resurfacing schemes on the A5 Beltany Road, Newtownstewart, A5 Melmount Road, Strabane and the A5 Victoria Road, Leckpatrick.

Speaking at the meeting, Divisional Roads Manager, 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 Strabane District, £4.1 million was spent on Structural Maintenance during 2010/11. 90% of this spend was on the District’s minor route network. The year end figures showed a substantial increase in the initial budget of £3.1 million. In total, 23 kilometres of carriageway were resurfaced, the most significant schemes being the A5 Mulvin Road, Victoria Bridge, A5 Victoria Road, Bready, B72 Lower Strabane Road, Castlederg, B47 Plumbridge Road, Newtownstewart, B85 Urney Road, Clady and Ballycolman Road, Strabane.

"Other significant projects completed include the completion of the road realignment at B49 Berryhill Road, Artigarvan, sightline improvements at Longland Road Donemana, new footways at Scaravagherin Road, Spamount, Castlefin Road, Castlederg, Largybeg Road, Newtownstewart, traffic calming in Victoria Bridge, a new pedestrian crossing in Magheramason and completion of street lighting renewal in Ballycolman, Strabane."

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 sightline improvements on B72 Fyfin Road at Grove Road and Killeen Road, B49 Woodend Road at Rock Road, B165 Camus Road near Douglas Bridge, traffic calming in Killen, a new pedestrian crossing in Main Street, Castlederg, reconstructing the parapets on Victoria Bridge and a further street lighting renewal scheme in Laurel drive Strabane.

(GK)