At a meeting on Monday 28 September, Divisional Roads Manager Cindy Noble outlined budget plans and priorities for the district.

"For planning purposes, an opening indicative allocation for structural maintenance of approximately £98 million is being provided, which is approximately £30 million higher than the opening allocation in the previous year. From this allocation the Department has targeted approximately £12.5 million towards a Roads Recovery Fund. This funding will enable the delivery of the highest priority resurfacing, roadside stability and drainage projects. And the funding for Rural Roads maintenance in 2026/27, at £10 million, is double the size of last year's allocation," said Ms Noble.

She added: "To help prioritise, the Department is developing a Transport Strategy 2035, which sets out a long-term vision and strategic framework for the region. The strategy aims to support economic growth, strengthen regional balance, and enhance connectivity, while promoting a more sustainable transport system. It brings together key transport policy objectives within a single overarching framework, providing greater clarity on the context for the Department's decisions and the actions required across government to support delivery of these strategic outcomes.

-- Advertisement --

"In parallel, Local Transport Plans are being developed alongside councils' Local Development Plans to ensure a more integrated approach to transport and land use planning.

"Road safety also remains a high priority for the Department, and we are committed to working proactively to make our roads safer and address the needs of all road users."

Reviewing recent activity, Ms Noble highlighted completed resurfacing on Cullaville Road in Crossmaglen, Ballynahinch Road in Crossgar and Ardmore Road in Newry. “Last year, we completed key resurfacing works on Cullaville Road in Crossmaglen, Ballynahinch Road in Crossgar, and Ardmore Road in Newry. Other projects, including a traffic signal upgrade at Francis Street / Dominic Street in Newry and Belfast Road / Main Street / Todds Hill, Saintfield, have also been successfully completed." she said.

Turning to the programme for 2026/27, she confirmed further resurfacing schemes across the district, including Bryansford Village, New Road in Silverbridge and Old Warrenpoint Road, Newry. "Looking ahead to 2026/27, we are planning additional resurfacing schemes across the district, with projects in Bryansford Village, New Road in Silverbridge and Old Warrenpoint Road, Newry. We're also advancing several significant pedestrian improvement initiatives throughout Newry, Mourne and Down. Among these is the installation of a puffin crossing at Monaghan Street, Newry and Downshire Road at Windsor Hill Primary School.

"Further plans include signalised junction upgrades at Market Street / Church Street junctions in Downpatrick and Bridge Street, Newry at Quays / Buttercrane."