Roadworks resume following Christmas break

Sydenham Bypass roadworks began in October but were paused to minimise traffic congestion over the Christmas period

A pre-Christmas pause on non-essential roadworks has come to an end.

Resurfacing works on the Sydenham Bypass in Belfast will resume on Monday 6 January.

To minimise disruption, works will continue during weeknights and weekends, the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has said.

Roadworks on the bypass had begun in October as part of a £3.8m resurfacing scheme, but following weekends of heavy traffic congestion were paused over the festive period.

The Belfast-bound carriageway will be closed between Tillysburn and the M3.

The roads will be closed on weeknights from 22:00-06:00 GMT Monday to Thursday.

Four additional weekends closures will take place from 22:00 on Friday to 06:00 on Monday, with the first weekend closure scheduled from Friday 10 to Monday 13 January.

All weekend closures dates will be weather dependent and the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) said it will keep the public informed once dates are confirmed.

Weekend closure of the Sydenham Bypass led to heavy traffic congestion

Completion is expected by early March 2025, subject to favourable weather conditions.

The DfI said it "recognises the impact of the initial phase of works and has suitable traffic management and diversions in place".

"When works recommence road users should plan ahead, allow extra time for journeys, and check TrafficwatchNI for updates."

Other roadworks

• Shore Road, Belfast

The next phase of work will get underway on Monday 6 January adjacent to St Vincent Street/Seaview.

To carry out the work as safely as possible, city-bound lanes at Seaview will need to be closed.

Two-way traffic (one lane in each direction) will be controlled around the working area via temporary traffic lights.

The traffic lights will be controlled during peak hours – morning and evening – to maximise traffic progression and will be in operation for approximately three weeks.

• Malone Road, Belfast

Following repairs to a burst water main on the Malone Road citybound opposite the Stranmillis Road Junction before Christmas, the inner lane of the Malone Road is closed at the junction of College Gardens.

Road resurfacing will take place on Monday 6 January.

• Purdysburn A24 Saintfield Road - Knockbracken Road

Work is entering the next phase on Monday 6 January to widen the citybound side in order to create a permanent layout of two running lanes in each direction and right turn lanes into Knockbracken Health Care Centre and Knockbracken Road.

This also includes construction of a retaining wall, utility diversions, new footpath, and enhanced pedestrian facilities.

During this period citybound traffic on the Saintfield Road will be reduced to one lane.

The Knockbracken Road road will be closed for a five month period until the final layout is in operation.

A 30mph speed limit remains on the main Saintfield in the vicinity of the works.

The A24 Saintfield Road and Knockbracken Road junction began in August 2024 and is expected to last 60 weeks.

This involves widening the northbound and southbound A24 Saintfield Road carriageway.

• A20 Upper Newtownards Road

Phoenix Energy is carrying out planned works to their network on the A20 Upper Newtownards Road from Carrowreagh Road in Dundonald to Hawthornden Way in east Belfast.

It began in August 2024 and is expected to last until April 2025.

• Shore Road, Strangford

A resurfacing scheme on the A2 Shore Road Strangford is due to commence on Monday 6 January and run to 14 March.

It will involve a 1.3 kilometre stretch of the Shore Road between Strangford Village and Kilclief.

There will be a daily road closure in place from 08:00 to 17:00 GMT.

• Tullyvar Road, Aughnacloy

The A5 Tullyvar Road will be closed from Favour Royal Road to Annaghilla Road.

This will be operational from 08:00 to 16:00 GMT on Sunday 12 January for tree cutting and verge maintenance.

• Caledon Road, County Tyrone

There will be a road closure from A28 Caledon Main Street to Finglush Road.

This will be operational daily from 09:00 to 16:30 from Monday 6 January to Friday 17 January to carry out resurfacing.

A full list of traffic news can be found here.