Flood problems on A1 to be fixed

Concerned local residents and road users had raised the issue with Brenda Hale MLA as fears grew about the safety of the road.

A spokesman for Transport NI said: “The A1 between Sprucefield and the border with the Republic of Ireland is maintained on behalf of the Department by Amey Roads NI and their Operator Amey Local Government under the DBFO Package 2 Contract. The contract is managed by the TransportNI PPP Unit.

“DBFO Co and Amey have been carrying out further investigations and three nights of pipe jetting work in the vicinity to inform a solution to the flooding of the slip lane.”

He continued: “It is now proposed that a significant engineering solution that would include the provision of 4-5 new gullies, a drainage run and manhole will be provided.

“Works are programmed to commence in late November and should take 1-2 weeks, hopefully being completed before the end of November.”

The news has been welcomed by Dromore DUP Councillor, Paul Rankin.

He said: “The flooding has gone on for a long time and people have complained by email or calling into Brenda Hale’s office.

“We have had emails back and forth with the road service for the last year and I’m glad something is going to be done about it.”

He continued: “Hopefully the cutbacks won’t delay or affect the work and it will proceed as planned in November.”

This news comes just a month after the DRD confirmed there were proposals for work to take place on the A1 dual carriageway following the deaths of three young men on the road.

That involved closing up all openings in the central median and installing a continuous central safety barrier between Hillsborough Roundabout and Loughbrickland.

It includes the provision of four flyover-type junctions and closing some minor road junctions along the road.