Major NI road schemes paused over budget shortfall

DfI said budget constraints and climate change targets have "changed the landscape considerably" for road improvements

A number of major road schemes in Northern Ireland are in doubt after Stormont's Department for Infrastructure (DfI) said it had "paused" preliminary work.

The schemes under threat include the Ballynahinch bypass and the widening of a section of Belfast's A55 ring road.

DfI said it was committed to the remaining planned phases of the A6 Belfast to Derry road.

It also said the dualling of the A5 is still a priority project.

However, even among the department's priorities, funding is yet to be identified for some schemes.

For example, it said the delivery of the Drumahoe to Caw section of the A6 will "depend on a range of factors, including future budget settlements".

The first phase of the A6 project opened in 2019 with a further stretch, between Dungiven and Derry, completed in April

In a statement on Monday, the department said a combination of budget constraints and climate change commitments had "changed the landscape considerably" meaning that "delivery of the major roads programme as previously set out is no longer sustainable nor appropriate".

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It said the list of priority projects includes the completion of recently constructed schemes, those which have funding from City Deals and flagship projects identified by the last Stormont Executive.

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

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".

Wesley Johnston, a researcher with expertise on Northern Ireland's roads, told BBC News NI that a lot of the projects had been on the list for 20 years or more with little work being done.

"We have less funding than we thought we would and I think this is the department regrouping and accepting a reset," said Mr Johnston.

However, he said that the Ballynahinch bypass was quite far along in the process with only funding and a contractor appointment needed.

"The Enniskillen and Cookstown bypasses are going ahead, the one is Ballynahinch is arguable as important so the question is why it is the one that has been paused," he added.

Road schemes to be prioritised:

• A4 Enniskillen Southern Bypass

• A5 Western Transport Corridor

• A6 Randalstown / Castledawson

• A6 Derry / Dungiven Phase 1

• A6 Derry / Dungiven Phase 2

• Belfast Rapid Transit 2

• Lagan Pedestrian & Cycle Bridge

• Newry Southern Relief Road

• A29 Cookstown Bypass