The Preferred Corridor

In the spring of this year Roads Service held a series of Public Information events to advise interested parties of the scheme study area and to take their views. Since the spring our consultants, Mouchel, have been talking to specialist groups and landowners and visiting the area to collect data. This has allowed them to identify primary constraints and to assess the impacts of a wide range of environmental factors such as ecology, land use, archaeology, geology and drainage. Extensive traffic surveys have also been carried out along the route to improve the understanding of traffic volumes and patterns.

Several corridor alignments were offered for consideration using topography as the initial constraint. Some alignments were discounted at the outset because of the significant environmental impacts. The remaining alternatives were evaluated against a rigorous assessment process until a Preferred Corridor was identified. The Preferred Corridor, which is in effect a reduced study area, is shown on the interactive map available Here

Whats Next?

A more detailed assessment of the lands within the Preferred Corridor will now be required. This allows us to identify a number of alternative route options within the corridor that can be assessed against the key criteria of Safety, Economics, Environment, Integration and Accessibility.

Public Consultation

It is proposed to hold a further series of Public Consultation events in February/March 2009 to highlight the route options being considered. As before it is hoped to hold separate events in Ballygawley, Omagh, Strabane and Londonderry. Details of the venues and dates will be published closer to the time on the web site, in newspapers and through further leaflet distribution.

At the events there will be large scale plans on display showing the Preferred Corridor and the proposed alternative route options for the dual carriageway within the corridor. The plans will also highlight the key factors that influenced the choice of the Preferred Corridor and the route options.

At the Public Consultation events you will have the opportunity to discuss proposals on a one to one basis with staff from Roads Service and their consultants. You will also be able to register your comments and/or concerns by completing a comment form which will be available at the events or on this web site. All comments will be considered before a decision regarding the Preferred Route is taken.