Plans to upgrade a popular junction in Lisburn have taken a major step forward.

Preliminary ground works have begun on the junction of the Ballinderry Road and Knockmore Road.

The project will improve access onto the Knockmore Road, delivering additional lanes.

It is the first in a series of works to support the delivery of up to 1800 new homes in the Brokerstown area.

The junction improvements are being delivered by the developers, subject to licence by Department for Infrastructure (DfI) Road Service.

Speaking on behalf of one of the developers Lagan Homes, Conor Mulligan said: "This is an important first step to delivering the road infrastructure to enable much needed new homes in the Brokerstown area. We appreciate that the roads have become congested and these upgrades are required to improve traffic flow and enable new homes in the area, and will relieve current issues being experienced by residents. This is the first step to addressing an existing issue, and is part of our commitment to current and future residents. We are conscious of the disruption these works could have on commuters and are working closely with DFI to keep this to a minimum."

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Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP for Lagan Valley commented: "The Knockmore Road is one of Lisburn's arterial roads and its main junctions have been inadequate for many years now. The people of Lisburn will be all too aware of the dangers and difficulties when turning into or crossing the Knockmore Road and, tragically, we have had far too many fatalities, injuries and near misses along this stretch of road. That is why it gives me great pleasure to announce the commencement of improvements and know that this has been long anticipated for many years. I have no doubt that these improvements will ultimately save lives.

"I want to personally thank everyone who has been involved over the years to help secure these works. I have personally felt the frustration at the various obstacles which have stood in the way over the years and want to put on record my thanks to all those who have worked tirelessly to overcome them and have demonstrated a great collective will to deliver for the people of Lagan Valley. Particularly I want to thank Lagan Homes along with the Department for Infrastructure and Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council for showing the willingness to continually meet with both myself and Robbie Butler MLA, and other MLAs and councillors to ensure that these much needed improvements were delivered."

Chairman of the LD1 Brokerstown Lands Cross Party Steering Group, Alderman Leathem added: "Following long-term discussions about the requirements for better traffic flow and road infrastructure, I'm pleased to see this work at the Brokerstown Junction upgrade. I travel on the Ballinderry and Knockmore Road often and this junction's improvement is necessary, and, also for alleviating traffic pressures on surrounding smaller roads. This is one of the busiest junctions in Lisburn.

"I would like to thank everyone involved including Mr Paul Givan MLA who has worked with me over the years in pushing for the road upgrades, as well other MLAs, including MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson; the Cross Party Steering Group and the Council.

"The Council through its Steering Group has been working hard with the developers, the community and the Department."

(CM)