SDLP MLA for Mid Ulster, Patsy McGlone, has called on the Minister for Infrastructure to secure the necessary resources for a proposed junction improvement at the A45 Coalisland Road/ C623 Farlough Road junction. The Mid Ulster MLA was responding to an Assembly written answer from the Minister to a question he had submitted on road safety measures in County Tyrone.
Mr McGlone said, “Our rural roads need investment as much as Executive flagship projects in the “New Decade: New Approach” document.
“As the Minister for Infrastructure has acknowledged in her response to my written question, the proposed junction improvement at the A45 Coalisland Road/ C623 Farlough Road junction has been included in the Local Transport and Safety Measures Programme for the Mid Ulster Council since 2015.
“A detailed design and the cost estimates have been prepared and the scheme is expected to require at least £300,000 to complete.
“The benefits of improved road safety, enhanced rural transport infrastructure and addressing regional imbalances are immeasurable.
“In the Minister’s ongoing assessment of capital pressures for the period ahead I hope that she will be able to secure the resources from the Finance Minister to fund this necessary junction improvement in County Tyrone.
“I will continue to lobby the Minister for investment in improved road safety across our rural road network.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Written Answer AQW 1969/17-22 – Improving Road Safety and Surface at Farlough, Edendork and Coalisland Roads, County Tyrone.
Mr McGlone: To ask the Minister for Infrastructure what measures her Department will take to improve (i) the road surface; and (ii) road safety at the junction of the Farlough, Edendork and Coalisland Roads, County Tyrone.
Minister for Infrastructure: A junction improvement The A45 Coalisland Road/ C623 Farlough Road junction has been included in the Local Transport and Safety Measures Programme for the Mid Ulster Council since 2015. A detailed design has been completed and cost estimates have been prepared. The scheme, when combined with the necessary resurfacing works, is likely to cost in excess of £300,000. The works would require the relocation of a significant amount of BT apparatus in advance.
I am currently assessing capital pressures across my Department for the period ahead in light of Executive flagship projects commitments in the “New Decade: New Approach” and my Ministerial priorities which include improving lives and tackling regional imbalance. In the interim, routine safety inspections will continue to identify safety related defects for repair in accordance with current maintenance standards.
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