Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins was recently welcomed to South Antrim by Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney to view completed and planned road improvement and active travel projects across the constituency.

Whilst here, the Minister received briefings from departmental officials and viewed a series of schemes from Toome right through to Glenavy.

The South Antrim MLA explained: "During our visit to Toome, we met local stakeholders including Cargin GAC, which cooperated in delivering the adjacent Shore Road Active Travel Scheme. This project has delivered significant benefits for local pedestrians and cyclists in Toome. The minister was also briefed upon and viewed the completed Gloverstown Road footway scheme. Both of these projects have been high-value capital investments. 

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"Minister Kimmins then visited Creggan and heard from representatives of Creggan Primary School and the neighbouring Kickham’s GAC about the importance of confirming an early site start date for the approved local footway scheme, which will deliver increased safe pedestrian access. This will particularly facilitate the school’s parents and pupils, and young Gaels frequenting the club.

"Afterwards the minister joined myself and officials in visiting the site at Stiles Way, Antrim Town where plans are advancing to provide a footway and cycle way connecting the Springfarm footbridge to the main carriageway."

The Infrastructure Minister also visited Glenavy Road in Crumlin and received an onsite update about the planned major capital investment to deliver a combined footway and cycle way to connect Crumlin with Glenavy under her department's active travel scheme, before concluding her constituency wide visit with a site meeting in Glenavy to listen to safety concerns regarding pedestrian access between the village and Ballymacrickett Primary School.

Sinn Féin's Kearney concluded: "I am grateful to Minister Kimmins and departmental officials for engaging positively with local stakeholders during this visit. My constructive engagement with the minister and her department has already delivered a series of important investments in local carriageway and footway infrastructure, and now other significant projects are in line for delivery. All of these will contribute directly to improving road safety for the community in South Antrim."