Members of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council were briefed by the Department for Infrastructure on road maintenance and improvement plans for 2024/25 and 2025/26 during a meeting on Monday 24 November.

Divisional Roads Manager Alan Keys told councillors: "The Department’s Final 2025-26 Resource Budget is £637.1m, representing an increase of £77.6m from the 2024-25 opening budget. The Department has been historically underfunded for many years, so this is a welcome increase in the Departments resource budget allocation. However, this does not fully meet the requirements of the Department and therefore decisions on prioritising the budget have been made. The Department’s Final 2025-26 Capital Budget is £917m, representing an increase of £63.4m from the 2024-25 opening budget. This recognises the importance infrastructure plays to everyday lives, contributing to addressing regional imbalance and delivering positive change for all as we invest for future generations. The opening capital budget for structural maintenance stands at £68 million which falls significantly short of our funding requirements. This will allow the delivery of our highest priority resurfacing projects, roadside stability, and drainage projects. The Department has operated within a constrained resource budget for many years and to help address historic underfunding additional funding has been allocated to essential maintenance and enhancing signs and lining and builds upon the existing level of service."

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He acknowledged the challenges posed by the 2025/26 budget, but said the Department remained focused on local transport upgrades, safety schemes and maintenance to improve road safety across the area.

Mr Keys added: "Last year, we completed key resurfacing works on the A6 at Kilmakee Roundabout, Templepatrick, B39 Seven Mile Straight, Muckamore, B52 Portgelone Road and B53 Craigstown Road, Randalstown, B56 Ballyrobert Road, Ballyclare and B523 O’Neill Roundabout, Glengormley."

Setting out priorities for the coming year, he said: "Looking ahead to 2025/26, resurfacing schemes include the A6 Antrim Road, Templepatrick, the B94 Hillhead Road, Ballyclare and B95 Doagh Road, Ballyclare.

"Active Travel schemes continue to progress, with a new shared path provided along Shore Road and Moneynick Road, Toome linking the GAA club and the local primary school, including a new Toucan crossing at the school. Meanwhile design work is ongoing for future active travel provision at Glenavy Rd, Crumlin and Stiles Way and Steeple Road, Antrim.

"In our ongoing commitment to road safety, the Department is extending part-time 20mph zones to another 40 schools in 2025, bringing the total number implemented since 2020/21 to 273. I’m pleased to confirm that four of these new schemes are planned for the Antrim and Newtownabbey 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."

Concluding, Mr Keys said: "These projects will deliver significant benefits to both the local community and commuters in the Antrim and Newtownabbey area."