Northern Ireland

Traffic concerns as roadworks resume across Northern Ireland after Christmas break

Non-essential roadworks restart as others commence following the six-week break

Work is set to begin this month at the busy McKinstry Road/Derriaghy Road/Cutts junction
Roadworks are recommencing after a six-week break (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

A number of roadworks around the north have returned this week as the six-week festive pause comes to an end.

From Monday, the break for all non-essential works set by the Department of Infrastructure (DfI) came to an end after being in place since November 25.

The annual moratorium is in place to help ease congestion during the busy Christmas period.

More: More traffic misery expected in Belfast as NI Water set to begin next phase of sewer relining work

In Belfast, the Sydenham Bypass resurfacing work was halted a few days early due to a weather warning at the time.

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Traffic Road closed disruption east belfast
The A2 Sydenham Bypass closed for road works. PICTURE: MAL MCCANN

Work on the busy arterial route is among those which has recommenced from January 6 onwards.

Sydenham Bypass

The city-bound carriageway will be closed between Tillysburn and the M3 on weeknights from 10pm to 6am.

Four weekend closures are also anticipated before work is completed – the first of these closures is set to take place on 10 January, with the city-bound carriageway closed from 10pm on Friday until 6am on Monday.

DfI added that some weeknight and weekend closures may also be required on the country-bound lanes to ensure safety.

Work is expected to be completed by early March, depending on weather.

Shore Road
NI Water is carrying out relining of the old Victorian sewers on the Shore Road.

Shore Road, Belfast

The next phase of sewer relining by NI Water sees city-bound lanes at Seaview closing on the Shore Road in Belfast.

Temporary traffic lights will control two-way traffic (one lane in each direction) and will be manned during peak hours in the morning and evenings for approximately three weeks.

Saintfield Road and Knockbracken Road (A24)

Phase 3 and 4 of the works are to recommence, with the Knockbracken Road closed and a 30mph speed limit in place on Saintfield Road near the works.

City-bound traffic on the Saintfield Road is reduced to one lane as a new layout is constructed, a retaining wall is put in place and pedestrian facilities are enhanced.

Upper Newtownards Road (A20)

Phoenix Energy will recommence works on their network on the section of the road from Carrowreagh Road to Hawthornden Way.

The latest phase to recommence covers the Stoney Road junction moving citybound to Hawthornden Way, with lane closures meaning one lane will be open in both directions.

Works are expected to be completed by April.

Derriaghy Road, Dunmurry

The Cutts Junction road safety improvement works are to recommence, impacting the busy McKinstry Road/Derriaghy Road/Cutts junction area.

From mid-November, the Derriaghy Road is to be closed for 20 weeks.

Diversions are in place and the department encourages road users to plan alternative routes.

Parts of Derry city's Foyle Street will remain closed for a year to facilitate NI Water major NI Water infrastructure upgrade.
Parts of Derry city's Foyle Street will remain closed for a year to facilitate NI Water major NI Water infrastructure upgrade.

Foyle Street, Derry

NI Water infrastructure works will see the city centre street closed again to all traffic apart from taxis.

Foyle Street is home to the city’s bus depot and a number of businesses.

The work is expected to be completed by the summer.

Shore Road, Strangford (A2)

Resurfacing work on the A2 Shore Road sees daily road closures in place from 8am to 5pm on the section of the road between Strangford Village and Kilclief.

Work is expected to run until March 14 and an alternative route is to be sign-posted during closure times.



Caledon Main Street, Co Tyrone (A28)

Carriageway strengthening and resurfacing on Main Street in Caledon to Finglush Road will operate daily between 9am and 4.30pm until January 17.

Diversions are in place and work is expected to cause delays between 5 and 15 minutes.