"High level review" of A8 commended

Ulster Unionist South Antrim MLA, Danny Kinahan, has welcomed confirmation from Roads Service that they will carry out a "high level review" of their proposals for the upgrading of the A8, which will include further consideration of the potential route through Ballynure.

"Following an Assembly debate on the issue, I met with senior Roads Service officials and conveyed my concerns over the A8 scheme.

"As well as agreeing to a high level review, Roads Service advised that they hope to have draft guidelines with the Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) early in the new year for consideration. I believe that this is a very positive step, and I look forward to further discussion on the matter," the South Antrim UUP MLA said.

"While we need better roads, and indeed key roads such as the A8, the rural community sees the project in its current form as an urban juggernaut brought about by a blinkered set of urban decisions.

"Six routes for the A8 were originally suggested, and all of them go through the countryside. The village of Ballynure, however, is already substantially divided by the A8. There is a single road, around which there is a great deal of space. A good designer could come up with a plan for a new road, of the right standard, through the middle of the village.

"If a good road were designed and built through the middle of the village, it would do that village a great service. There could be underpasses and overpasses, and it could be done in a very slick way to improve the town," the UUP Antrim councillor said.

"The current proposed route will affect eight farms. Once the road is through them, it is there forever. The building of the road cannot be changed.

"When building roads, there are obviously great environmental concerns to consider. The Six Mile Water provides valuable spawning for the dollaghan and other wildlife and plants, and was badly polluted twice in the past year. If the current route is the one that will be built, we need to get things absolutely right.

"I also want to see whether we can adopt the code of practice of the Ulster Farmers' Union during work on the A8 and use it as an example for all other major road schemes. There are many good ideas in the code of practice, including having a liaison and lands officer to help with the communication with farmers and, if necessary, townspeople. That officer could explain the planning system, the vesting system and other relevant matters. There could also be a land agent to help people deal with compensation and valuations.

"We know that building a road through the centre of Ballynure is the cheapest route, and it would also be easier to live with. I must emphasise, I am not trying to stop the road; I am trying to protect the countryside and farmers and to find a better choice."