Hi °C | Lo °C 
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has announced plans for a dual carriageway between Londonderry and Dungiven are to move forward within weeks.
Mr Kennedy said work on the A6 scheme – first mooted several years ago – are now “progressing well” with draft vesting order to be published along with an environmental statement within weeks.
Public exhibitions on the proposed schemes will be held in the north west in mid-January 2012. Mr Kennedy made the announcement as he set out Roads Service’s progress on a £12.5m investment for network development and maintenance schemes in the Derry area this year.
The minister said other major schemes in the North West were also being taken forward.
He said: “Work is also progressing on the development of the A5 dual carriageway from Newbuildings to Aughnacloy.
“The Department is awaiting the report into the public inquiry held in July this year.
“The recent completion of the Culmore Road roundabout scheme has resulted in significant improvements for motorists at peak times of the day. The scheme involved the widening of approach roads, provision of slip roads and the introduction of traffic lights. This scheme complements the £1.6m Madam’s Bank Road scheme which I announced in September.
“Madam’s Bank Road is a key part of the North Western Key Transport Corridor connecting Belfast to Londonderry City and on to Donegal. The scheme is progressing well and is on target to be completed in January 2012.”
Mr Kennedy cautioned that budget constraints meant it was likely the programme of local transport and safety measures in 2012/13 and 2013/14 “will be under considerable pressure”.
“While current indications are that funding for resurfacing and minor improvement works will be very limited next year, I remain committed to delivering these important schemes as resources permit,” he said.
He added: “A wide range of schemes are under way or completed in the Derry City Council area.
“This includes completion of Stage 2 of the road widening scheme on the Trench Road, Londonderry while Stage 3, a continuation of this scheme, to Disertowen crossroads, is on course to be completed later this year. A new section of cyclepath from Madam’s Bank Road to the new Toucan Crossing on Culmore Road has also been provided.’’
At a meeting with Derry City Council this week, divisional roads manager Deirdre Mackle highlighted a number of improvement and maintenance schemes completed or planned for this year.
Ms Mackle said: “A scheme to upgrade the traffic signals at Culmore Road/Greenhaw Road junction has recently been completed, including the installation of MOVA (Microprocessor Optimised Vehicle Activation) software and new vehicle detection equipment.
“Upgrading of the signals at the junction of Dungiven Road and Clooney Terrace is due to commence shortly while work on the A2 Queens Quay is ongoing.”
