Keys emphasised the importance of the road network as a strategic asset for daily life but acknowledged that more needs to be done to improve and protect it. While the department is working to maximize its resources, the 2024/25 budget allocation is insufficient for optimal road maintenance.
The limited capital budget of £89 million falls short of the funding required for essential resurfacing, roadside stability, and drainage projects. Additionally, years of operating within a constrained resource budget have led to a limited-service policy for routine maintenance activities like defect repair, grass cutting, and gully emptying.
During a meeting on Tuesday 22 October, Divisional Roads Manager Mr Alan Keys addressed the council. He said: "Northern Ireland's road network is our largest and most valuable strategic infrastructure asset delivering every day for people to go about their daily lives. It is recognised that there is more to do to improve and protect our vital road network and the Department is maximising its resources to deliver positive engineering impacts. The Department's 2024/25 budget allocation is challenging, however we will continue to prioritise essential frontline services. The opening Capital budget for structural maintenance is £89 million, which falls significantly short of our funding requirements to allow for the most effective delivery of our priority resurfacing, roadside stability, and drainage projects. The Department has operated within a constrained Resource budget for many years which has meant the continuation of a Limited-Service policy for routine road maintenance activities such as defect repair, grass cutting, and gully emptying."
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Mr Keys acknowledged the challenges posed by the 2024-25 budget but affirmed the Department's commitment to advancing local transport, safety schemes, and maintenance programs aimed at improving road safety.
Mr Keys continued: "Currently, a full street lighting repair service will remain in effect during 2024/25.
"The Department will deliver a number safety improvements and resurfacing schemes in 2024/25, including schemes at M2 Ballymena bypass, Dunminning Road, Woodtown Road, Hiltonstown Road and Henry Street/Gilmore Street, Ballymena along with the completion of 61 lane kilometres of surface dressing.
"The Department is committed to investing in pedestrian and cycling measures to provide greater Active Travel choices, particularly for shorter everyday journeys. The Department is developing a Northern Ireland wide Active Travel Delivery Plan that includes an update of our policies and design guidance for Active Travel as well as network plans for our larger towns and cities. We aim to consult the public on this plan later in 2024. In the meantime, we are continuing to deliver improved Active Travel schemes and are taking forward designs for shared footway and cycle track schemes at a number of locations including Grove Road and Raceview Road, Ballymena, Gortgole Road, Portglenone and at Fenaghy Road Galgorm which will link in with the planned Cullybackey to Galgorm Greenway."
In conclusion, Mr Keys said: "These projects the Department is delivering will bring significant benefits to both the local community and commuters throughout the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council area."
