Magherafelt is set to benefit from £3.5m roads investments, announced by the Regional Development Minister yesterday.

Minister Conor Murphy outlined a number of major and minor schemes due to take place in the Magherafelt Council area, this year. 



The minister said he was pleased to note that the Statutory Notices were published in March 2007 for the A6 Dualling between the M22 Motorway and the Castledawson roundabout.

Mr Murphy confirmed that his Department intends to publish the Statutory Orders for the A31 Magherafelt By-pass.

The minister said, if required, it is expected a public inquiry could be held within this financial year.



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Discussing further plans for the Magherafelt area Mr Murphy said: "We plan to spend £1.9 million on various road maintenance projects in the Magherafelt area this year. Major resurfacing schemes are to be carried out on the A29 at Larrycormick, Moneymore and A29 Moneymore Road, between Desertmartin and Lecumpher."



Following the minister's announcement, Roads Service's Divisional Roads Manager Pat Doherty said there were significant challenges to be faced: "The Investment Strategy anticipates a large programme of trunk road improvements over the next ten years, with investment totalling £3.1billion."

Mr Doherty said the Roads Service is still considering how the work will be programmed and highlighted the impact of the future reform of public administration in the Province: "We will be considering the revised working arrangements and structural changes that will need to be agreed and implemented by 2011."

Mr Doherty sad the focus will be on delivering the proposed scheme in the Magherafelt area and said the department will work to minimise disruption.

(PR/JM)