A PUBLIC inquiry is to begin in March on plans to improve the A1 carriageway in Co Down.
In one of her first announcements after taking up her new role, infrastructure minister Nichola Mallon said she was "very aware how important the A1 improvements are for the many people".
She confirmed the inquiry on the A1 road improvement scheme would start on March 11.
The scheme aims to deliver further safety improvements over the 25km stretch of the A1 dual carriageway between Hillsborough and Loughbrickland.
It comes after the Department for Infrastructure had last year concluded that holding a public inquiry was required.
During a consultation on the scheme, more than 100 responses were received and, while the majority were in support of the project, a number of objections from landowners and others were also submitted.
The department said it was unable to resolve the issues raised and subsequently concluded a public inquiry was needed to enable the scheme to progress to the next stage.
In a statement yesterday, Ms Mallon said: "I am very aware how important the A1 improvements are for the many people who have expressed their support, especially those who have lost loved ones.
"While my department must of course complete all of the necessary statutory processes, I want particularly to reassure those families who have long awaited these improvements that we are keen to progress to the next stage as quickly as possible."
A pre-inquiry meeting is to be held on February 6 in the Belmont House Hotel, Banbridge at 7pm with the public inquiry to begin on March 11 at the same venue at 10am.
