AQW 7887/17-22

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 30/09/2020
Answered On Date: 14/10/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail (i) what communication there has been with the Ballyhalbert community regarding their request for a footpath between St Andrews development and High Street via Shore Road; and (ii) what alternatives have been considered to a footpath along this section of the Shore Road.

Answer:

My Department has received a number of requests for the provision of a footpath between St Andrews development and High Street, via Shore Road and has responded to those requests.

A feasibility study was carried out to identify options for the potential provision of a footway link at this location and this established that the costs would be significant due to the need to make significant alterations to the existing coastal defences, carry out extensive road widening and acquire land to the frontage of properties. My Department is currently unable to progress a scheme at this location this year however I have asked officials to review and update the feasibility study and costings to see if a scheme might be able to be included in future programmes.

In the meantime improved traffic management measures have been provided at this location to enhance road safety. Measures include edge of carriageway and ‘SLOW’ road markings as well as advanced warning signage on each approach to alert drivers that there may be pedestrians on the road ahead.