A key junction in Newry city centre is set to be upgraded with new traffic signals.

The Department for Infrastructure is leading a £200,000 scheme to upgrade traffic signals at the Trevor Hill / Sugar Island Road/ Kildare Street / Upper Water Street Junction, which carries over 1,500 vehicles at peak times.

This scheme will help support road safety and traffic progression at the busy city centre junction.

Speaking more about the scheme, Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon said: "This work will include upgrading the existing controlled pedestrian crossing on Kildare Street to a Puffin crossing and also resurfacing of the junction. This will benefit all who use it including businesses and residents in the area. I would like to thank the travelling public and local residents in advance for their cooperation while these much needed works are completed."

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Work will begin on 25 October 2021 and will be completed by the end of February 2021.

Part of the work will be carried out overnight, to minimise any inconvenience to commuter traffic.

Due to the nature of the scheme, it will be necessary to operate a number of traffic management measures for the duration of the works. These measures will include lane closures mainly operating from Monday to Friday between the hours of 9.30am to 4pm as well as full road closures at various times.

During these times a diversion will be in place as detailed below:

• Upper Water Street Northbound : Abbey Way – William Street – Bridge Street -Dublin Road – A1 Bypass – A28 Craigmore Way – A28 Carnbane Way – Belfast Road / Downshire Road

• Trevor Hill Southbound : Downshire Road/Belfast Road – A28 Carnbane Way – A28 Craigmore Way - A1 Newry Bypass – Dublin Road – Bridge Street – William Street – Abbey Way

• Kildare Street:  Abbey Way – William Street – John Mitchell Place – O'Hagan Street – The Mall

• Sugar Island Road:  Canal Street – New Street – Downshire Road – Trevor Hill.

Drivers of high sided vehicles should be aware of a low bridge on Dublin Road with clearance for vehicles at 16'0" / 4.8 metres.

In order to help ensure the safety of road users and road workers, the public is asked to comply with all temporary traffic regulations and to drive with care when travelling through, or in the vicinity, of the works.