Roads Minister, Conor Murphy today cut the first sod for the new £7 million A20 Southern Distributor Road which will link three important radial routes in Newtownards.

Work on the 2.7km road, to link Portaferry Road, Comber Road and Belfast Road, is expected to take approximately 12 months to complete and construction cost of £7 million.

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The Minister said: "This is an excellent example of how both public and private sector bodies can work in partnership on a project that will ease congestion and improve journey times and safety for all. The scheme will also facilitate the development of significant areas of land to the south of Newtownards."

The Minister took the opportunity to confirm the contract to construct the Frederick Street Link - also in Newtownards - was recently awarded.

"It is hoped that work on this £2.2million scheme to link Nursery Road with the Frederick Street roundabout will commence shortly with a construction period of six months," he added.

(VB/JM)