By-pass is four years from cash

By-pass is four years from cash

21 September 2016

BALLYNAHINCH’S proposed £50m by-pass is not a flagship project for Transport NI.

Roads minister Chris Hazzard confirmed the surprising news at the Assembly on Monday when he also indicated that money for the eagerly-awaited project linking the Newcastle and Belfast roads won’t be made available within the next four years.

Last January, during a three-day public inquiry into what will be the district’s biggest ever roads scheme, it was suggested the earliest work on the near two mile project could start would be at the end of next year or early 2018 and take 18 months to complete. 

Major new roundabouts are proposed at the Belfast Road junction with the Saintfield Road and at the Newcastle Road junction with the Downpatrick Road, and a new bridge will be constructed over the Moss Road. The new road will pass under part of the Crossgar Road with a 90 metre long bridge constructed to take traffic over Ballynahinch River.

The by-pass issue was raised at the Assembly this week by Strangford MLA Philip Smith who asked for an update of the multi-million pound scheme designed to alleviate chronic traffic congestion in Ballynahinch town centre and along its main approach roads. 

Mr Smith said he specifically asked the roads minister to confirm if funding will be allocated for the by-pass in the upcoming four-year capital budget.

“I was very disappointed the minister could only offer some warm words rather than a firm commitment to fund this important project. It appeared to be a ‘yes minister’ type answer with no specific timetable nor budget allocation. If I am being unfair to Mr Hazzard, I would welcome his clarification by confirming that the by-pass will be included in the new budget,” said the MLA.

Mr Smith explained while the minister confirmed the Ballynahinch by-pass is something very important and a project he wants to see delivered, Mr Hazzard said the scheme is not a flagship programme for his department.

“We can all agree with the minister’s sentiment, but Ballynahinch’s residents, traders and those who travel through the town on a regular basis need to see action. This was an ideal opportunity for the minister to provide greater reassurance that he failed to take,” declared the MLA.

“The minister acknowledged that Ballynahinch has been waiting for its by-pass for 50 years; he knows the area and the problems well. The traffic situation in Ballynahinch remains horrendous with traffic often at a standstill and complete gridlock at peak times. The situation has become increasingly dangerous over the years, particularly for pedestrians as recent tragic accidents have shown.”

Mr Smith said before Mr Hazzard took over at the helm of the Department for Infrastructure the South Down MLA stated he was determined the by-pass issue would remain on the agenda “for as long as it takes to remedy decades of neglect.”

The MLA added: “Now he has the power to deliver I urge him to push this project to completion.”

Yesterday afternoon, Mr Hazzard said the Ballynahinch bypass is a scheme he remains keen to deliver on and it will be on the agenda as projects are considered in line with overall funding.

“While it is not a flagship project, significant work has already been completed,” he continued. “Following a number of objections, a public inquiry was held in January and a report is currently being finalised for my consideration. Subject to a satisfactory outcome, my Department will publish the environmental statement notice of intention to proceed and make the direction order for the proposed scheme.”