Northern Ireland Regional Development Minister, Conor Murphy, has welcomed Roads Service's progress on investment totalling £4.5million in the Newtownabbey Borough this year.

Speaking ahead of tonight's meeting between Roads Service and Newtownabbey Borough Council, the Minister said: "Work for the widening of the M2 between Sandyknowes and Greencastle is making good progress. Ultimately this scheme will provide three lanes for traffic in each direction between these junctions.

"Currently work to replace Collin, Hightown and Longlands Bridges is well underway with half the Collin Bridge already demolished. During these works temporary traffic management arrangements will be in place at each of the three bridges over the motorway. In addition, new retaining walls are presently under construction along the Belfast-bound and country-bound carriageways of the M2 motorway between Sandyknowes and Greencastle."

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Other schemes which have been completed this financial year include provision of a 1.36km stretch of 3m wide footway/cycle path between Ballyclare and Doagh, sightline improvements from Reahill and Ballyearl Road onto Carntall Road, provision of 162m of safety fence on the Hillhead Flyover and replacement of 44m of safety fence at Bridge Road, Monkstown.

At the meeting, Road Service's Divisional Roads Manager, Tom McCourt welcomed the continued investment in local transport and safety measures in the Newtownabbey Borough. These include collision remedial works, traffic calming schemes, measures to assist cyclists and pedestrians and a programme of school travel and safety projects.

(GK/JM)