It has been revealed that over eight million pounds has been spent on maintenance schemes in Belfast so far this year, creating a much needed boost for the faltering construction sector.

Ahead of a meeting with the Belfast City Council Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has outlined the progress that has been made through the investment of £8.4m in the Belfast area.

The Minister said:"A wide range of improvement and maintenance schemes is planned or already complete in the Belfast City Council area."

According to his statement these include the planned upgrade of the A2 Sydenham Bypass, which is currently undergoing the last of a three-stage assessment process.

It is understood that a detailed development of the Preferred Option and further public consultation will follow and if funding is available carriageway construction can commence.

Mr Kennedy said:"These engineering works will widen and upgrade a 2.5km stretch of the existing A2 Sydenham Bypass from a two lane to three lane dual carriageway."

"Along Whitewell Road, a significant new and upgraded footway has been completed over two phases. This involved a 500 metres provision from Throne Shopping Centre to Floral Park plus an additional 250 metres from Floral Park to Antrim Road. This continuous link between the Antrim Road and Shore Road substantially enhances road safety provision for pedestrians in the area," he added.

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It was explained that the priorities and constraints placed on funding levels by Budget 2010 mean it is likely the programme of local transport and safety measures in 2012/13 and 2013/14 will be under considerable pressure. While current indications are that funding for resurfacing and minor improvement works will be very limited next year.

But the Minister has said that he remains "committed" to delivering these important schemes as resources permit.

At the meeting, Deputy Divisional Roads Manager, Bertie Ellison highlighted a number of improvement and maintenance schemes currently planned or progressed.

He said: "I am pleased to note the recent completion of pedestrian crossing provision at Ballysillan Road Leisure Centre; Crumlin Road at Snugville Street and Ravenhill Road at Ravenhill Avenue.

"The Safer Routes to Schools programme rollout continues apace. Following completion, last year of that at Saint Clare's primary, three additional schemes are currently being progressed at BRA, Rosetta primary and Saint Dominic's grammar. Similar additional schemes are also programmed this year for Strandtown, Carr's Glen and Glenwood primaries.

"A significant carriageway resurfacing programme is progressing with schemes recently completed at locations including Wellington Park Avenue; Wandsworth Gardens; Hillside Crescent and Glenside Drive/Parade."

These schemes have created much needed work for the construction industry and for those that provide industry supplies.

The announcement of this scheme and similar schemes comes at a time when the construction industry is at '2008 lows'.

Last week the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) released statistics that showed the total volume of construction output in the second quarter of 2011 fell by 7.0% compared to the first quarter of 2011.

This is 14.4% lower than the figures released for the same quarter last year and the largest quarterly decrease in the volume of construction output since quarter 3 in 2008.

(LB)