Northern Ireland's Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has provided Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council with an update on local road maintenance and improvement projects scheduled for 2024/25 and 2025/26.

At a council meeting on Tuesday, October 7, Divisional Roads Manager Alan Keys set out the Department's current funding position and priorities for the coming year.

Mr Keys explained that the Final 2025–26 Resource Budget stands at £637.1 million, an increase of £77.6 million on the previous year. While this uplift is welcome, he noted that it still falls short of meeting all departmental needs, requiring continued prioritisation of essential works. The Capital Budget has also risen to £917 million, up by £63.4 million, reflecting the importance of investing in infrastructure to support regional development and long-term improvement.

"The opening capital budget for structural maintenance stands at £68 million which falls significantly short of our funding requirements," Mr Keys said. However, he also noted the budget will still "allow the delivery of our highest priority resurfacing projects, roadside stability, and drainage projects."

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Despite the pressures, Mr Keys reaffirmed the department's commitment to maintaining and improving the local transport network, highlighting recent and upcoming works that will enhance safety and connectivity across the borough.

"Last year, we completed major resurfacing works on the A37 Broad Road, Limavady, and the A26 Frosses Road, Ballymoney," he said. "We also carried out a pedestrian crossing upgrade at Dunhill Road, Coleraine."

Looking ahead, several resurfacing schemes are planned for 2025/26, including:

• A6 Glenshane Road near Dungiven

• A29 Dunhill Road at Greenmount Roundabout

• Sections of Seacoast Road, Limavady, Dunluce Road, Portrush, The Diamond and Church Street, Kilrea, Gracehill Road, Ballybogey Road, Coleraine Road, and Portrush Road, Ballymoney

Mr Keys also highlighted progress on Active Travel initiatives, with a completed shared footway and cycle path on the A29 Ring Road between Cromore Road and Portrush Road, Coleraine, and ongoing work on a similar facility between Ballykelly and Greysteel.

As part of the department's continuing road safety programme, part-time 20mph zones will be extended to a further 40 schools in 2025, bringing the total to 273 since 2020/21. Four of these new schemes will be located within the Causeway Coast & Glens area.

"This important initiative aims to make journeys to and from school safer for children, parents and staff, and demonstrates our dedication to safer routes and stronger communities across the region," Mr Keys said.

He concluded: "These projects will deliver significant benefits to both the local community and commuters in the Causeway Coast & Glens area."