A £250,000 road safety improvement scheme on the A1 at Banbridge is due to start on 4 March 2018.
![Raking whilst resurfacing a footway Raking whilst resurfacing a footway](https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/styles/inline-expandable/public/images/drd/news/footway-resurfacing-h-600x400.jpg?itok=4uTAb-sP×tamp=1444909405)
The scheme, designed to improve safety for motorists, involves the erection of a central reserve safety barrier between Bannview Road Bridge and Castlewellan Road Bridge on the Banbridge Bypass. To facilitate installation of the barrier, it is necessary to permanently close all crossing points along this stretch of the A1.
This significant investment of £250,000 will greatly improve road safety along this extremely busy stretch of the A1. The installation of the central safety barrier is welcome news for the 30,000 drivers who use the road each day.
This is the third in a number of incremental improvements which may be progressed in advance of the delivery of the full A1 Junctions Phase 2 scheme. The works, when complete, will deliver benefits for all road users for many years to come.
The temporary traffic management required to carry out the works safely will consist of a 40mph speed restriction and lane closures adjacent to the central median in both the northbound and southbound carriageways. To minimise disruption to motorists, the lane closures are scheduled for overnight, between 7:30 pm and 6:00 am Monday to Friday and all day at the weekends. The 40mph speed restriction will apply at all times for the safety of road users until works are fully completed.
DfI Roads has carefully programmed the works operations and traffic management arrangements in order to minimise any inconvenience to the public, however motorists should be aware that some delays may be expected and that additional time should be allowed when planning any journeys.
Work on this next section of safety barrier on the A1 at Banbridge is expected to be complete within 3 to 4 weeks.
Notes to editors:
- The full A1 Junctions Phase 2 (A1J2) Road Improvement Scheme involves a number of further improvements to the A1 between Hillsborough Roundabout and Loughbrickland, including the construction of four flyover type junctions at: Listullycurran Road; Gowdystown Road; Skeltons Road/Drumneath Road; and Waringsford Road as well as a northbound on slip at Castlewellan Road; and a Link Road from the Milebush Road onto the underpass junction at Hillsborough Road, Dromore. The proposal also includes closing up all openings in the central median; installing a continuous central safety barrier and, closing some minor road junctions along this stretch of the route.
- Development work on the full A1J2 scheme is ongoing and the current phase of this work involves the completion of the detailed design and Environmental Impact Assessment in preparation for taking the proposal through the Statutory Procedures. Whilst progression of the full scheme to construction remains subject to the proposal clearing the statutory procedures and funding, DfI Roads is currently developing a strategy to provide incremental improvements, where possible, along the route.
- The DfI Project Team recently held a Public Consultation Event to present the current A1J2 scheme proposals and invite feedback from members of the public and other stakeholders. The Event took place in Banbridge Old Town Hall, Dromore Town Hall and Hillsborough Court House on 15th, 19th and 21st February 2018 respectively. The consultation period runs between 12th Feb to 16th March 2018.
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