Members of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council have been briefed by the Department for Infrastructure on road maintenance and improvement programmes planned for 2025/26 and 2026/27.

At a meeting on Tuesday 27 October, Divisional Roads Manager Simon Wells addressed councillors, stating: "For planning purposes, an opening indicative allocation for structural maintenance of approximately £98 million is being provided, which is approximately £30 million higher than the opening allocation in the previous year. From this allocation the Department has targeted approximately £12.5 million towards a Roads Recovery Fund of which £10 million is for rural roads maintenance that is double the size of last year's allocation. This funding will enable the delivery of the highest priority resurfacing, roadside stability and drainage projects.

"To help prioritise, on Monday 26 October the Department published Transport Strategy 2035, which sets out a long-term vision and strategic framework for the region. The strategy aims to support economic growth, strengthen regional balance, and enhance connectivity, while promoting a more sustainable transport system. It brings together key transport policy objectives within a single overarching framework, providing greater clarity on the context for the Department's decisions and the actions required across government to support delivery of these strategic outcomes. "In parallel, Minister Kimmins launched the public consultation on the first phase of the Eastern Transport Plan. This phase includes the Belfast City Council Area and the wider Belfast Metropolitan Area that includes part of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council area.

"The Eastern Transport Plan is being developed alongside councils' Local Development Plans to ensure a more integrated approach to transport and land use planning. A further phase of the Eastern Transport Plan will include the entire Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council area.

"Road safety also remains a high priority for the Department, and we are committed to working proactively to make our roads safer and address the needs of all road users."

Mr Wells continued: "Last year, we completed key resurfacing works at Moira Road, Ballynahinch Road and Llewelyn Gardens in Lisburn. We also completed a pilot project on Alderwood Hill to improve access to St Ita's Primary School that included the installation of pencil bollards to prevent parking on footways, creating a safer walking corridor for pupils.

"Resurfacing in 2026/27, has included the completion of works on Halfpenny Road, Beechhill Road and Main Street, Moira and we will soon be commencing another stretch of resurfacing on Moira Road, Lisburn. We are also introducing new part-time 20mph zones at 3 new schools, and a number of new controlled pedestrian crossings as part of our ongoing commitment to improve road safety."

In closing, Mr Wells said: "These projects will deliver significant benefits to both the local community and commuters in Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council area."