The chief executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has written to the hon. Lady in response to this question.
Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin, dated 11 January 2007:
You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question regarding, what plans he has for the provision of a by-pass for Saintfield, County Down. As this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service, I have been asked to reply.
The A7 Trunk Road, which links the Belfast Metropolitan Area to Downpatrick, is the main traffic route passing through Saintfield and is designated as a Link Corridor in the Regional Strategic Transport Network. Roads Service’s plans for improvements to the Strategic Road Network are contained in the Regional Strategic Transport Network Transport Plan 2015 (RSTN TP), which was published in March 2005 following a period of extensive consultation. The Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland envisages a further £400 million of major works schemes within the RSTN Plan period and Roads Service recently consulted on “Expanding the Strategic Road improvement Programme 2015”.
While consideration of the responses received in relation to the latter consultation is ongoing, I can advise that a by-pass for Saintfield was not included in the proposals. As you will be aware there are many competing demands for the resources within this funding envelope and the provision of a by-pass for Saintfield would not attract a high priority when compared with the proposals for improvements elsewhere on the Strategic Road Network.
However, I can advise that improvements to the A7 by way of the provision of a number of Widened Single Carriageway (2 + 1) schemes are proposed within the RSTN TP. These schemes, when completed, will provide guaranteed overtaking opportunities and improve safety on the route.