AQW 28235/17-22


Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast


Tabled Date: 18/01/2022
Answered On Date: 26/01/2022
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail her proposals to improve the road infrastructure in the Castlereagh South area over the current and next financial years, with particular reference to Saintfield Road and Comber Road.


Answer:
My Department is presently assisting with two developer-led and funded junction improvements at:
Saintfield Road, Manse Road, Mealough Road junction; and
Saintfield Road, Comber Road, Church Road junction.
These improvements will facilitate private residential developments off the Mealough Road and the Baronsgrange development, respectively. The works for both schemes are at an advanced stage and are scheduled to be completed before the end of this financial year (March 2022).
A24 Saintfield Road/Knockbracken Road Junction
My Department has also assisted the Mealough developer’s technical consultant at the detailed design stage for junction improvements to the Saintfield Road, Knockbracken Road Junction and this process is now complete with planning permission having been granted on 6th January 2022. The timing of the junction improvement work is dependent on the developer’s programme and whilst I am unable to indicate an expected timeframe for the scheme, my officials will continue to provide assistance to help bring them to a speedy conclusion.
A24 Saintfield Road/ Lenaghan Avenue Pedestrian Crossing.
My Department’s work to upgrade the existing pedestrian crossing on Saintfied Road at Lenaghan Avenue commenced in December 2021 and is expected to be completed before the end of this financial year.
Saintfield Road / Baronscourt Road junction.
My Department is completing a feasibility study to examine a number of options for the potential provision of a right turn pocket and pedestrian facilities at the Saintfield Road / Baronscourt Road junction.
A number of preliminary road layouts have been developed as part of the design process. In order to give further consideration to the options it was necessary to undertake a topographical survey to provide an accurate layout of the existing junction and determine the impact of each option on adjacent land and properties. The survey information will be used to identify the optimum design, determine the land take required and allow cost estimates to be prepared.