‘Be cautious’ about new Lodge Road layout

TransportNI is carrying out a significant scheme along the A29 Ring Road between Lodge Road Roundabout and Ballycastle Road Roundabout.

There are five elements to the scheme – the provision of an additional lane in each direction between the two roundabouts, a new shared cycleway/footway along the Ring Road, new traffic signals at the entrance to ASDA and at the Newmills Road junction and alterations to the Lodge Road roundabout itself to improve capacity and reduce delays along this important route.

The Lodge Road roundabout signals are controlled by a MOVA (Microprocessor Optimised Vehicle Actuation) system which will also be the method of control to be used at the new ASDA and Newmills Road signalised junctions.

The implementation of linked MOVA at signal-controlled junctions has been found to provide more efficient junction operations.

TransportNI has employed the services of consultants in the design, application and implementation of MOVA systems to carry out the work at the Ring Road.

Due to the nature and complexity of the systems, engineers will be on site over a number of days at the start of December to commission the site, validating the implementation and operation of the signals to achieve optimum performance.

It is anticipated that once complete, the scheme, will enhance safety, improve capacity and reduce delays along the entire route for all road users.

As there will be significant changes to the operation and layout of the Lodge Road roundabout and the Ring Road between the two roundabouts all drivers are advised to exercise caution as they get used to the new layout.

This upgrade is part of a £5.4 million investment announced earlier this year by transport minister Danny Kennedy.

At last Tuesday night’s Council meeting, Deirdre Mackle spoke to Coleraine councillors about the progress of the investment.

Many members praised the work at Lodge Road roundabout.

UUP councilor David Harding told the meeting that he was ‘impressed’ by the manner in which the work had been carried out by the contractors.

He said that there had been ‘minimal disrupution’ to drivers during the work at Lodge Road.

Ms Mackle told the meeting that the ‘next ten days’ were critical’ to the upgrade, as engineers work to get signalling synced in the stretch of road.