Issue 200 - North Down BT18 •BT19 • BT20 • BT21
£460,000 road scheme for A2
Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has announced that work on a £460,000 resurfacing scheme for the A2 Groomsport Road Roundabout, will commence before the end of February.
Scarlett Jenkins, (18), from Carrowdore, and Curtis Sinclair, (32), from Newtownards, are the first to secure a one-year placement through the new Student and Leisure and Fitness Associate whilst completing their BTEC Level 3 Sport at SERC’s Bangor Campus.
College and Council Initiative Win-Win for Students and Sport A unique initiative between Ards and North Down Borough Council and South Eastern Regional College (SERC), is set to equip sports students with valuable experience needed for the industry whilst they gain their qualifications. Scarlett Jenkins, (18), from Carrowdore, and Curtis Sinclair, (32), from Newtownards, are the first to secure a one-year placement through the new Student and Leisure and Fitness Associate whilst completing their BTEC Level 3 Sport at SERC’s
Bangor Campus. The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Jennifer Gilmour, said: “This collaborative approach between SERC and the Council’s HR and Leisure service areas has helped to bring this successful scheme to fruition. It has been
a long-held desire for our Leisure staff to have the opportunity to develop a working partnership with SERC and their leisure studies programme. It will help to attract students into working environments in the leisure industry, providing them with a
wealth of experience during their early working life. This will not only benefit students, but it will also benefit both SERC and the Council’s Leisure Services.”
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The resurfacing scheme will involve the asphalt resurfacing of the Groomsport Road Roundabout and its immediate approaches. Minister O’Dowd said: “I am pleased to announce that this road improvement scheme represents a significant investment of £460,000 in the North Down area. This work will greatly improve the strength and surface quality of this section of road for the benefit of all who use it. To facilitate the safe delivery of the scheme it will be necessary to implement an initial phase of lane closures for preparatory works to be carried out in advance of the resurfacing from 9.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, from Monday 19 February to Friday 29 March 2024. Local access for residents and emergency services will be maintained at all times during the preparatory
works. The Department has programmed the work operations and traffic management arrangements to minimise inconvenience, however, road users should expect some delays and are advised to allow additional time when travelling in the vicinity of the works and are asked to comply with all temporary traffic restrictions. Subject to favourable weather conditions the first phase of work will be completed by 29 March 2024, however, the Department will keep the public informed of any change. All work will be carried out in line with current public health and health and safety advice, with safe systems of working in place for staff and contractors. For more information about this and other improvement schemes visit: www.TrafficwatchNI.com.