Work is scheduled to get under way next Monday (10th November) to enhance the design and ride quality of a busy route in Union Mills.
 
The Department of Infrastructure is carrying out the improvements in Strang Road to ensure it is capable of meeting current and future traffic requirements.
 
The road will be resurfaced from its junction with the A1 Peel Road to its junction with the A23 Mount Rule Road. Work will be completed in three phases in order to maintain access for residents and minimise travel disruption:
 
•         Phase One – Ballanawin Estate to Strang roundabout
•         Phase Two – Ballanawin Estate to Anglers Walk
•         Phase Three – Anglers Walk to Peel Road

The scheme is expected to take five weeks to complete and during that time Strang Road will be closed between 9am and 4.30pm.

School buses will be permitted through the roadworks, but residents are kindly asked to park their vehicles outside the areas where work is taking place.
 
As well as improving the road surface, the scheme has been designed to manage the speed and flow of traffic along Strang Road.
 
The three table-top ramps, one at each end of the road and another at the entrance to Ballanawin Estate, are being retained. The road on the approaches to the ramps will be re-profiled to create a smoother transition.
 
The Department intends to remove the speed cushions and formalise parking arrangements to create natural traffic calming measures. The opportunity will also be taken to repair kerbs and footways and to improve drainage to reduce the risk of localised flooding.
 
John Houghton MHK, Member of the Department of Infrastructure with responsibility for Highway Services, said: ‘This scheme will result in significant improvements to what is a very well used road. There will inevitably be some disruption during the work and I would like to thank people in advance for their patience and cooperation.’
 
The Department has worked closely with Middle MHK Howard Quayle in recent years to identify and deliver road improvements in the area.
 
Mr Quayle said: ‘Highways and traffic-related issues are a major priority for many of my constituents and something I have campaigned about since being elected three years ago. Improvements to Strang Road are much needed and I hope residents will see the benefits of this scheme in terms of traffic management, parking and drainage. I will continue to work with residents and officers from the Department of Infrastructure to monitor the effectiveness of these new measures.’