Northern Ireland

Major road schemes in Northern Ireland paused amid funding shortfall

Work will continue on the York Street Interchange
Work will continue on the York Street Interchange Work will continue on the York Street Interchange

Some of Northern Ireland's major road schemes are under threat amid a funding shortfall.

The widening of a section of Belfast's A55 ring road and the long-awaited Ballynahinch bypass are among the projects expected to be put on hold.

The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) said "prioritising the development and delivery of major road schemes has been necessary because of the department’s challenging budgetary position".

It added that "constrained resources and commitments under the Climate Change" were also among the issues it faced.

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"This combination of factors has changed the landscape considerably, meaning delivery of the major roads programme as previously set out is no longer sustainable nor appropriate," it said.

However, DfI said it remained committed to a number of road projects, including the remaining planned phases of the A6 Belfast to Derry road as well as the dualling of the A5.

The statement added that work will also continue on the A1 Junctions scheme, the York Street Interchange and A32 Dromore to Irvinestown schemes.

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"All other schemes will be paused and their place on a future major works programme will be informed by the department’s emerging transport plans and any decision by a future Infrastructure minister," the department added.