Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has set out Roads Service’s progress on investment totalling £12.5 million for network development and maintenance schemes in the Londonderry area this year.

The Minister said: "I am pleased to confirm that work on the A6 Londonderry to Dungiven dual carriageway scheme is progressing well and that my Department intends to publish an Environmental Statement, draft Direction Order and draft Vesting Order in early December 2011.

"Public exhibitions on the proposed scheme will be held in mid-January 2012. Work is also progressing on the development of the A5 dual carriageway from Newbuildings to Aughnacloy. The Department is currently awaiting the Inspector’s Report into the Public Inquiry held in July this year.

"The recent completion of the Culmore Road roundabout scheme has resulted in significant improvements for motorists at peak times of the day. Congestion at this key junction has been eased while journey times will be improved. The scheme involved the widening of approach roads to the roundabout, provision of slip roads and the introduction of traffic lights within the new footprint of the junction.

"This scheme, which was co-funded between DRD Road Service and the EU under its INTERREG IVA Programme, will further improve travelling conditions for the people of the northwest and complements the £1.6 million Madam's Bank Road scheme which I announced in September. Madam’s Bank Road is a key part of the North Western Key Transport Corridor connecting Belfast to Londonderry City and on to Donegal. The scheme is progressing well and is on target to be completed in January 2012.

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"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, I remain committed to delivering these important schemes as resources permit. The autumn round of Council meetings is a timely opportunity for Councils to discuss potential schemes and priorities for incoming and future years."

Mr Kennedy added: "A wide range of improvement and maintenance schemes is underway or already complete in the Derry City Council area. This includes completion of Stage 2 of the road widening scheme on the Trench Road, Londonderry while Stage 3, a continuation of this scheme, to Disertowen Cross roads, is on course to be completed later this year. A new section of cyclepath from Madam’s Bank Road to the new Toucan Crossing on Culmore Road has also been provided, mainly alongside a section of the old Culmore Rd."

At the meeting, Divisional Roads Manager, Deidre Mackle highlighted a number of improvement and maintenance schemes currently completed and planned this year. Ms Mackle said: "A scheme to upgrade the traffic signals at Culmore Road /Greenhaw Road junction has recently been completed. This has seen the installation of MOVA (Microprocessor Optimised Vehicle Activation) software and new vehicle detection equipment which improves performance by identifying excessive demands and reducing delay by optimising traffic signal timings automatically.

"Also, a new type of pedestrian crossing, called a PUFFIN (an acronym for Pedestrian User Friendly Intelligent Crossing), is being installed at Queens Quay and Foyle Embankment. This type of crossing incorporates new detection technology which allows it to operate more efficiently for both pedestrians and motorists.

"Upgrading of the signals at the junction of Dungiven Road and Clooney Terrace is due to commence shortly while resurfacing was completed at the B527 Creggan Road, B525 Duncregagan Road, C503 Drumahoe Old Road and work on the A2 Queens Quay is ongoing."

(CD)