Over £1.6m is to be invested in roads in the Castlereagh area, it has been announced.

Transport Minister Conor Murphy said traffic calming schemes at Glen Road, Manse Road and Merok Crescent would all be progressed.

Cycle tracks between Forestside and Cairnshill, Brackenvale to Carryduff plus East Link Road will be extended.

Resurfacing schemes at Carrowreagh Park, Cotswold Avenue, Wanstead Avenue and Hillsborough Road, Carryduff will also be carried out, the Minister said.

Road Service's Divisional Roads Manager, Tom McCourt welcomed the planned investment in local transport.

Schemes which will be taken forward in the Castlereagh area this year include street lighting schemes at Belvoir Close, Craigleith Drive/Walk, Islay Gardens and Kinross Avenue and enhanced signage, sightline and street lighting modifications on the A23 at the junction of Church Road and Lisleen Road South with Monreagh Road.

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In addition to the schemes that will be delivered in 2009/10, Mr McCourt drew attention to the development work that was being undertaken on strategic road improvement schemes in Eastern Division.

This includes widening the A55 at Knock Road and related preparatory work undertaken includes preparation of environmental impact assessments, scheme design, traffic modelling plus evaluation of alternative proposals.

This work will contribute to the production of an Environmental Statement, notice of intention to make a Direction Order and notice of intention to make a Vesting Order.

It is expected that this will be published for public comment in 2009 and, subject to receipt of any objections, the department may then decide to hold a public inquiry.

Should this prove necessary, a decision on whether to proceed with the scheme will be made upon issue of the public inquiry inspectors report.

(PR/JM)