18/12/2025
Rural Roads Benefit From Multi-Million Pound Investment Boost
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has announced a significant funding injection of more than £30m aimed at upgrading Northern Ireland's road infrastructure.
The package includes a specific £4m allocation dedicated to addressing the unique maintenance needs of rural roads across the region.
The investment, secured through the December Monitoring round and internal departmental reprioritisation, will fund a comprehensive programme of works. This includes essential resurfacing schemes, drainage repairs, street lighting upgrades, and the installation of new road markings and signage.
Minister Kimmins highlighted that the "Better Roads" initiative is a key component of her "Foundations for the Future" strategy, which focuses on sustainable and high-quality infrastructure development.
Minister Kimmins said: "My Department provides some of the most essential infrastructure services to our society. I welcome the additional funding provided to my Department through December Monitoring. And delivering on my commitment to do all I can to make our roads better, I have been able to reprioritise funding within my Department.
"In recognition of the importance of the rural road network, I am committing an additional £4m to target funding to rural roads.
"Better Roads is one of my seven Foundations for the future, and I am delighted to make this announcement of additional funding following my recent launch of a transformative new approach to roads maintenance for consultation.
"I will continue to do everything I can with what I have to maintain and improve our road network which is vital for connecting communities and businesses."
The Minister's "Foundations for the Future" framework consists of seven core objectives designed to improve the lives of citizens through better connectivity, climate resilience, and public services.
The Seven Foundations for the Future:
1. Tackle Climate Change
2. Cleaner and Greener Transport
3. Adapting to the Climate
4. Better Roads
5. Water and Waste Water
6. Planning to Improve
7. Including People
The package includes a specific £4m allocation dedicated to addressing the unique maintenance needs of rural roads across the region.
The investment, secured through the December Monitoring round and internal departmental reprioritisation, will fund a comprehensive programme of works. This includes essential resurfacing schemes, drainage repairs, street lighting upgrades, and the installation of new road markings and signage.
Minister Kimmins highlighted that the "Better Roads" initiative is a key component of her "Foundations for the Future" strategy, which focuses on sustainable and high-quality infrastructure development.
"In recognition of the importance of the rural road network, I am committing an additional £4m to target funding to rural roads.
"Better Roads is one of my seven Foundations for the future, and I am delighted to make this announcement of additional funding following my recent launch of a transformative new approach to roads maintenance for consultation.
"I will continue to do everything I can with what I have to maintain and improve our road network which is vital for connecting communities and businesses."
The Minister's "Foundations for the Future" framework consists of seven core objectives designed to improve the lives of citizens through better connectivity, climate resilience, and public services.
The Seven Foundations for the Future:
1. Tackle Climate Change
2. Cleaner and Greener Transport
3. Adapting to the Climate
4. Better Roads
5. Water and Waste Water
6. Planning to Improve
7. Including People
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Rural Roads Benefit From Multi-Million Pound Investment Boost
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has announced a significant funding injection of more than £30m aimed at upgrading Northern Ireland's road infrastructure. The package includes a specific £4m allocation dedicated to addressing the unique maintenance needs of rural roads across the region.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.