Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy has announced investment totalling £3.3 million is planned for the Antrim Borough Council area this year.

Mr Murphy said: "The combined footway/cycleway on Staffordstown Road, Randalstown, which was started late in 2006/07, is nearing completion at a total cost of £98,000.

The scheme which extends from Moneynick Road junction to Mount Shalgus Lane at Randalstown Forest forms part of the National Cycle Network Loughshore Trail.

"Roads Service faces some very significant challenges over the next few years as it gears up to deliver a demanding programme of Strategic Road Improvements."

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Mr Murphy continued: "The Strategic Road Improvement Programme envisages an investment of £1.4 billion in the period up to 2015. Around £1 billion of these schemes have already been identified and a consultation on a further £400 million of schemes was completed at the end of 2006. In addition, the National Development Plan 2007-2013, contains proposals on the inter-urban routes linking the main population centres of Dublin, Belfast and the North West."

Road Service’s Divisional Roads Manager, Jim Beattie, also welcomed the continued high level of investment in local transport and safety measures in the area, including traffic calming, collision remedial and cycling measures.

Other schemes include the completion of the missing link of footway on Paradise Walk from the M2 fly-over at Parkgate down to Six Mile Water bridge towards Templepatrick, and phase two of the traffic calming scheme in Crumlin in a number of housing developments and on the Glenavy Road in the vicinity of the schools.

(JM/SP)