Stormont officials have insisted they are “committed” to a Ballynahinch bypass but the road appears a long way off yet.
The £50m Co Down road scheme, which has faced delays spanning generations, is facing budgetary restraints, Department for Infrastructure officials told councillors during a special meeting of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) at its Downpatrick headquarters.
DfI’s southern division team was delivering its latest report to the council and highlighted causes for delays including an annual budget gulf of some £60m.
Read more: Ballynahinch bypass gets go-ahead from Roads Minister.
Councillor, Dr Kathryn Owen (DUP) said: “We have been talking about the Ballynahinch bypass since my grandfather was a councillor and that wasn’t yesterday, let me tell you. I would be hopeful that it is built before I retire.”
The DfI report shows that a direction order had been made for the A24 road from July 2021, some five years after a notice of intention was published.
Cllr Terry Andrews (SDLP) questioned the department’s ability to seek other funding to accelerate the bypass plans.
He said: “I have been speaking on Ballynahinch bypass since I became a councillor back in 2011. I have attended meetings and raised the issues over major delays to this project.
“Ballynahinch as it stands is in gridlock with traffic, bumper to bumper. The bypass would prove to be a real lifeline, not only to take traffic out of the area, but it could also increase tourism as a connection to the Mournes and beyond.
“The hard financial times we are in will need to be factored in and I don’t want to be a prophet of doom and gloom, but could the department go and procure other funding for the bypass and make it into a reality.”
The main benefits the 3km bypass are hoped to bring about are improved journey times between Newcastle and Belfast as well as plans to then develop the inner town centre.
DfI, divisional road manager, Mark McPeak responded: “We are committed to the Ballyhnahinch bypass and have taken it through to the development stage. We are relying on multiple budget commitments.
“Certain decisions need to be made to find out if Ballynahinch is a priority on the list and whether it is sufficiently higher up for funding. We have done as much as we can and we are waiting in anticipation.”
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