Co Tyrone roads have been boosted with the NI Transport Minister Danny Kennedy congratulating Roads Service and its contractors for the successful completion of the 2010/2011 programme of works and welcomed the planned £5 million for structural road maintenance in Dungannon this year.

Speaking ahead of Monday evening's meeting between Roads Service and Dungannon and South Tyrone 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," said Mr Kennedy.

Mr Kennedy welcomed strategic road improvements saying: "The new £150 million A4 dual carriageway between the M1 and Ballygawley was opened to traffic.

"This was the longest length of dual carriageway or motorway ever constructed in Northern Ireland. The A4 dualling will benefit Dungannon 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."

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The Minister also welcomed the opening of the new A29 Carland Bridge Realignment scheme in November 2010.

"The completion of this scheme on the A29 Cookstown Road removes a notorious bottleneck, improves road safety and reduces journey times along the A29 Link corridor."

A5 Preparation

Speaking on strategic road improvements in relation to the A5 Western Transport Corridor (WTC) Mr Kennedy stated: "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 inquiry. "This commenced on the 9 May 2011 and is programmed to run for eight weeks ending in early July," he continued.

The Minister also welcomed Roads Service's proposed programme for the year ahead including major trunk road resurfacing schemes on the A4 Ballagh Road, Clogher.

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 Dungannon District, £4.7 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 £3.7 million. In total 28 kilometres of carriageway were resurfaced, the most significant schemes being the A4 Ballymackilroy and Caledon Main Street.

"Other significant projects completed include the completion of the completion of the new footway on the A45 Granville Road, commencement of a new park and ride facility at Ballygawley, traffic calming at Coalisland, new pedestrian crossings at Charlemont Street, Moy and Old Ballygawley Road, Dungannon and the commencement of street lighting renewal in Mullaghmore Park and Lisnahull areas of Dungannon and extension of street lighting on Old Omagh Road, Ballygawley."

Safety

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 changing the priorities on the Stewartstown Road, Moor Road junction, a right turning lane at A4 Augher Road at the B83 Old Monaghan Road, Clogher, provision of footways on Killyman Road and Quarry Lane, Dungannon, a second phase of the Park and Ride facility at Ballygawley, traffic calming in Annagher Road area, Coalisland and Mullaghmore Road area, Dungannon, replacement of a bridge on Reenaderry Road, Derrytresk, Coalisland , and completion of street lighting renewal in Mullaghmore Park and Lisnahull areas of Dungannon.

(BMcC/KMcA)