The Cookstown area is set to benefit from £2.4 million roads investment, announced by NI Transport Minister Conor Murphy.

Speaking at a meeting with Cookstown District Council, the Regional Development Minister outlined a number of schemes taking place in the area.

Mr Murphy said: "We plan to spend £1.4 million on various structural road maintenance projects in the Cookstown area this year. A major resurfacing scheme to be carried out this year will be on the A29 - William Street and Oldtown Street, Cookstown."

The Minister commented on his department's success during the last year, and discussed the increased budget the DRD had received from the Stormont Executive.

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Roads Service's Divisional Roads Manager Mr 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. Roads Service is currently considering how this work will be programmed and delivered."

Works outlined in the plans include the linking of the Cookstown Bypass with the A29 Dungannon and Moneymore Roads. A preliminary design for this work is currently being progressed. Environmental, ecological and archaeological surveys are due to start this month and a public information day will be scheduled for late autumn this year.

"Roads Service has also noted the recent decision on the Reform of Public Administration and will be considering the revised working arrangements and structural changes that will need to be agreed and implemented by 2011. Despite these challenges, Roads Service will continue to concentrate on service delivery in the Cookstown Council Area," said Mr Doherty.

The Roads Service has stressed it will provide relevant signage and advance warnings of scheduled work.

(PR/JM)