The NI Roads Minister has announced further progress on the £33m bypass planned around Magherafelt.

The Minister's department are now publishing formal Notices on its intention to make a Direction Order and Vesting Order.

The move comes after two public consultations, held in October 2007 and January 2008. During the January meeting the preferred route alignment was announced.

The route is 5.9km long and extends to the east of the town from the new roundabout at the Moneymore Road/Coolshinney Road junction, to tie in with the existing Castledawson Roundabout.

The route will be bridged over Killyfaddy Road and Loves Road, and it will have new roundabouts constructed at its junctions with Ballyronan Road and Aughrim Road. It is proposed that the Killyneese Road be stopped-up on either side of the new road.

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The Minister said: "Roads Service has now met with all the landowners directly affected by the proposed new route, enabling it to publish the current Notices of Intention. The Direction Order will stipulate the line of the new road and gives details of roads to be stopped up and/or abandoned as an integral part of the scheme. The Vesting Order empowers the Department to acquire the lands necessary for the construction of the scheme.

"Roads Service however would stress that the current Notices are Notices of Intention, to which members of the public have a right to make representation and/or object to the proposals.

"In addition, an Environmental Statement has been prepared for the scheme. This document considers the likely environmental effects of construction of the new road and identifies ways in which any adverse impacts can be mitigated. The document is now available for public viewing and comments from members of the public are welcome," said Mr Murphy.

Documents and maps relating to the proposals can be view by members of the public, free of charge, at the Roads Service offices on Station Road or at Magherafelt District Council offices.

(PR/JM)