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Roads: Belfast

Answer

The chief executive of roads service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Lady in response to this question.Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin, dated 13 February 2007:"You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a parliamentary question regarding what progress has been made with the upgrading of (a) the A8 Belfast to Larne Road and (b) the A72 Belfast to Carrickfergus Road; and if he will make a statement. As this issue falls within my responsibility as chief executive of Roads Service, I have been asked to reply.""Roads Service completed a package of major improvements on the A8 Belfast to Larne road in 2005 at a cost of some £13.3 million. With the completion of these works, which included a significant number of safety improvements, approximately 43 per cent. of the road between Sandyknowes (M2) and Larne is now of dual or motorway standard. Current traffic volumes on the remaining single carriageway section, between Ballynure and Kilwaughter do not merit the provision of a dual carriageway standard road at this time and it is the Department's view that the recent improvements provide a high level of service on this road.""However, you will be aware that on 31 July 2006, the Minister for Regional Development David Cairns MP, published the Consultation Document – ‘Expanding the strategic road improvement programme 2015’. This included a proposed £10 million improvement scheme at the M2/A8 (M) Sandyknowes Junction. Roads Service has received some 80 responses to the document including a number in support of further upgrading of the A8. All responses are currently being considered and it is hoped that an announcement of the final proposals "will be made later this year.""You also enquired about progress on upgrading the A72 Belfast to Carrickfergus Road. I presume you meant the A2 Belfast to Carrickfergus Road.""I can advise that a proposed road improvement scheme on the A2 at Greenisland is included in Roads Service's major works preparation pool. The preparation pool comprises the highest priority major works schemes which are being designed and taken through the necessary statutory procedures with a view to progressing to construction within the next five years.""Following assessment of alternative route options, a preferred route has been selected and a preliminary design has been completed. The Department has prepared a Notice of Intention to Make a Direction Order, a Notice of Intention to make a Vesting Order, and an Environmental Statement, which we plan to publish in March 2007. A public exhibition will be held to coincide with the publication of these documents and there will be a formal period for public comment/objection to the Department's proposals which, depending on the outcome, may result in a public inquiry being required.""Subject to the successful completion of the statutory procedures and funding being available, Roads Service would hope to commence construction in 2008-09."

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

120434; 458 c889W

Session

2006-07

Subjects

Belfast Roads

Link

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