A consultation has been launched on the second phase of safety improvements along the A1 dual carriageway between Hillsborough and Loughbrickland in County Down.

The Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and draft statutory orders have been published for the scheme, with locals now invited to submit their views on the plans via letter or email.

The consultation will run until 28 June 2019. Further details are available here.

The improvements will include the provision of new grade separated junctions, the closing up of all gaps in the central reservation and the provision of a continuous central reserve safety barrier along the whole route.

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Further proposals include:

• The construction of a further four new flyover type junctions at: Listullycurran Road; Gowdystown Road; Skeltons Road/Drumneath Road; and Waringsford Road;

• A northbound on-slip to the A1 from Castlewellan Road, Banbridge;

• A new link road from the Milebush Road to the existing Hillsborough Road Junction at Dromore;

• Closure of nine selected side roads with improvements to the remainder of side roads which will operate for left-in / left-out turning movements only;

• Closure of a number of Private Accesses along the route with the remainder operating for left-in / left-out movements only;

• Closure of all mainline bus-stops with new bus stops provided at the four new grade separated junctions; and

• Provision of a number of driver information and communication systems at strategic locations along the route to improve safety and efficiency.

(CM/MH)