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Northern Ireland Office;Northern Ireland Roads Service

Answer

David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his plans are for improving road and rail links between the airport at Aldergrove and Belfast, with particular reference to the Dunsilly roundabout M2 link through Antrim town to the airport. [223171] Mr. Spellar: The Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question. Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin to Mr. Burnside, dated 22 March 2005: You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question, about what his plans are for improving road and rail links between the airport at Aldergrove and Belfast, with particular reference to the Dunsilly roundabout M2 link through Antrim town to the airport. (223171). I have been asked to reply as this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service. You may recall that John Spellar, MP, in his letter dated 22 October 2004, assured you that the importance of Belfast International Airport as a transport hub was recognised by the Regional Development Strategy and the Regional Transportation Strategy. During preparation of the Regional Strategic Transport Network Transport Plan (RSTN TP), the transport links to Belfast International Airport were examined. However, it was considered that the three roads radiating out from the Killead roundabout provided good links to the strategic road network, servicing the Province and beyond. No additional road infrastructure was considered necessary during the life of the Plan. The Antrim Road/Dublin Road between Belfast International Airport and Antrim does not offer a direct link to the Key Strategic Road Network and is not therefore, considered to be either a Key Strategic Corridor or Link Corridor, as defined in the Regional Development Strategy. However, the RSTN TP appraisal process included the examination of a new link road connecting the M2 Motorway/Rathmore roundabout to Belfast International Airport, and it is hoped that this proposal will be included, not only in Roads Service's Long Term Forward Planning Schedule, but also as a potential Transport Scheme in the forthcoming Antrim/Ballymena/Larne Development Plan, currently being prepared by the Department of the Environment's Planning Service. The inclusion of this scheme would afford protection of the route from any development that would be likely to prejudice future implementation of a scheme. With regard to the Antrim Road/Dublin Road, which forms part of the route from the Dunsilly Roundabout to the airport, I can advise that Roads Service has identified a number of possible road improvements. The first of these, involving the realignment and widening of approximately 500m of carriageway, together with a right turn lane and improved visibility splays at the Dungonnell Road junction to Crumlin, is scheduled to start during the 2005/06 financial year. The proposed improvements to the M2 motorway, which will be undertaken as part of Package 1 of Roads Service's DBFO Programme, will widen the existing carriageway to provide three lanes in the Belfast bound direction from Sandyknowes junction through the Greencastle interchange to join the M5. An additional lane will also be provided to carry 3 lanes through the Greencastle interchange in the northbound direction. The works will include the replacement of three of the bridges over the M2 motorway on this section of the route, i.e. Hightown Bridge, Collin Bridge, and Longlands Bridge. With regard to improving rail links to the airport, I understand in the context of a new park and ride site near Templepatrick, that Translink would consider diverting the current bus service between Aldergrove and the Europa Bus Centre to enable a rail connection to be made there. I hope this information is helpful.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

432 c809-10W; 223171

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Bus services Construction Airports Northern Ireland Railways Transport Roads Belfast International Airport M2

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk