Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy has announced that public inquiries are to be held into the Randalstown to Castledawson dualling scheme.

The decision comes after Roads Service published separate Statutory Orders and Environmental Statements for the Randalstown to Toome part of the scheme and for the Toome to Castledawson part of the scheme.

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Mr Murphy said: “Following a comprehensive analysis of the proposal, Roads Service published separate draft Statutory Orders and Environmental Statements for the Randalstown to Toome part of the scheme and for the Toome to Castledawson part of the scheme. The response to the publication of these indicated considerable interest and concerns from members of the public and other interested parties.

"In order that these may be fully taken into account I have decided that separate public inquiries should be held for each part of the scheme. The public inquiries will give Roads Service and the objectors an opportunity to have their views considered.”

(JM/SP)