McCallister Welcomes Funding for South Down Roads

South Down Ulster Unionist MLA John McCallister has welcomed the Regional Development Minister's announcement of a £4.2million investment for the Banbridge and Rathfriland areas this year.

With work already started on three of the main junctions on the A1 at Banbridge Road, Dromore; Dromore Road, Banbridge; and Dublin Road/Grovehill Road, Loughbrickland, in association with the A1 Beech Hill to Cloghogue dual-carriageway Mr McCallister commented that "As the UUP representative on the Regional Development Committee at Stormont, I am delighted with the recent news"

"I have been contacted time and time again by many of my constituents on roads issues in the South Down area, and after many months of lobbying by the UUP, the Department now plans to spend £4.2million on various projects, including junction visibility improvement works on the Castlewellan Road/Moneygore Road, Rathfriland. Minor works schemes are also planned for Corbet Lough Bridge; Rathfriland Road at Lisnaree Road; and at Old Newry Road/Ringsend Road, Banbridge subject to successful land agreements or vesting. These are in addition to the ongoing extensive programme of smaller local transport and safety measures, as well as resurfacing and surface dressing schemes."

"After £17million of extra funding being allocated to Roads Service for these type of projects. The additional resources mean that around £75million has been invested in the structural maintenance of our roads last year and it is planned to spend a further £200million over the next three years. This is very good news for Northern Ireland as the maintenance of surfaces and underlying structures of roads and footways is essential for our social and economic well-being." He concluded