'Final phase' of £800,000 scheme at notorious accident blackspot

WORK at a notorious accident blackspot outside Strabane is entering "the final phase", the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has confirmed.

Often described as a 'death trap', the Bellspark Road/Prospect Road and its junction with the Orchard Road had been the location of a significant number of collisions and and near misses over the years.

A number of interim measures had been installed to improve visibility at the junction, including increased signage and rumble strips, prior to the work to redesign the crossroads which began back in April.

This final phase of that safety improvement scheme is due for completion later this month.

The £800,000 scheme has involved the realignment of the Bellspark Road and the creation of a staggered junction on the Orchard Road.

The Prospect Road has also been realigned and footways incorporated into the project

Announcing the work in March, Infrastructure Minister, Liz Kimmins, had said: "This is a substantial investment for the Strabane area which will deliver significant benefits for residents and road users.

"The investment will improve road safety and it demonstrates my commitment to investing in and improving our road and active travel network, as well as connecting our businesses and communities.

"I would like to thank residents, local businesses and commuters for their co-operation and patience in getting this important scheme to this final phase."

In order to facilitate the scheme, the Bellspark Road has been closed, but the department has confirmed some of those restrictions will be lifted in the coming days.

Asked for an update on the ongoing works and resulting road closures, a spokesperson for the DfI said: "The improvements at Bellspark Road are now entering the final phase which involves the realignment of the Orchard Road (Strabane side), closing the Prospect Road junction with the Bellspark Road to create a new junction on the Orchard Road along with improving the alignment of Bellspark Road and the provision of new footways.

"The road closure has been necessary to facilitate the relocation of utility services and safe construction of the scheme.

"Bellspark Road from the Glebe to the Orchard Road junction will reopen this week, with the remainder of the road to follow next week.

"There will be a need for a further road closure later in October to allow final road surfacing works to be completed."