Traffic disruption expected as two £600k NI road schemes to start

The schems include two contracts, one in Mowhan Road, Markethill costing £311k and another in Laurelvale, Tandragee costing £292k.

Newry and Armagh DUP MLA William Irwin and Independent Cllr Paul Berry both welcomed the schemes.

Mr Irwin said, “This is fantastic news for road users and residents of Markethill and the surrounding area and I understand that work is due to commence on Mowhan Road Markethill on Monday 17 August 2020 with the work extending 2 kilometres from its junction with the Cladymilltown Road to just south of the Tullyallen Road junction.”

He added. “Access for residents will be maintained at all times however it will be closed to through traffic from 17th August to 11th September between the hours of 8am and 6pm Monday – Friday and diversions will be signposted. Officials state that the road will be open to traffic in the evenings during the week and all day on Saturday and Sunday.”

He added, “It is also great to see work commencing in Laurelvale and Mullavilly with an investment of close to £300,000. A closure scheme in a similar manner will see the road closed from Monday 10 August to Friday 25 September between the hours of 8.00am and 6.00pm and access maintained for residents throughout the works phase and the roads will be open outside of construction hours.”

He added, “When both sets of works are combined this represents a significant investment locally in the constituency. The roads in question will certainly benefit from this work and in both instances the surfaces have been slowly deteriorating over time.”

“Whilst there will be invariably disruption to traffic flow during the works, it will be a worthwhile scheme to ensure that the road surfaces in both locations are maintained to the standards expected and I thank Transport NI for this investment.”

Mr Berry said roads in the Mullavilly Road area of Laurelvale had been in a ‘dreadful state’ for a long time.

He said: “I have lobbied Infrastructure NI for few years now and kept in close contact to ensure that the main street and a section of road from the bus shelter and footpaths be resurfaced. That section of road has been in dreadful state for a long time and the water gathered along the road, so drainage is key. There is also a need to look again at the current ramps as they are in over 10 years now and need redesigned. Obviously there is going to be traffic disruption over the next number of weeks but long term these road improvements will be great long term for the Village.”

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