M2 Link: Community Involvement

More Information

Information provided to the community at key milestones during the development of the project may be downloaded from this page by clicking on the item you wish to view or download. To view documents in PDF format, you must have Adobe PDF reader software installed on your computer. Many computers have this software pre-installed. If your computer does not have this software, you can download and install PDF reader by clicking on the 'Get Adobe PDF' icon below the main menu.

Event

March 2005 Exhibition

Two day exhibition held 8 & 9 March 2005 in Ballymena Showground. Representatives from Roads Service and their consultants were present to answer questions and to provide assistance to members of the general public. Questionnaires, made available to the public as part of a consultation brochure, gave the local community and businesses an opportunity to express their views on the proposal.

Documents

Exhibition panels (click on thumbnail to enlarge)

October 2005 Press Release

Minister for Regional Development announces selection of ‘preferred route’ for scheme.

Announcement of preferred route (191b)

September 2006 Publication of Statutory Procedures

Notices placed in the local press during weeks ending 22 and 29 September 2006 informed the public at large that the Department for Regional Development (i) had prepared an Environmental Statement setting out the impact of the scheme and listing measures to mitigate those impacts (ii) had prepared a draft Direction Order entitled “M2/A26 (Ballee Road East Link) Order (Northern Ireland) 2006” making provision for additions to the trunk road network, alterations to the trunk road network and stopping up of certain lengths of road (iii) proposed to make an order vesting certain lands in the townlands of Ballylesson and Ballycreggy, County Antrim in the Department under The Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972 and The Roads (Northern Ireland) Order 1993.

The press notices announced (i) the time within which comment on the Environmental Statement could be made (ii) the time within which objection to the draft Direction Order and draft Vesting Order could be made (iii) the manner in which comments and objections could be made and (iv) where the Environmental Statement, the draft Direction Order and draft Vesting Order could be inspected.

The Consultation period for receipt of comment on the Environmental Statement and receipt of objections to the draft Direction Order and draft Vesting Order extended from the date of the first publication during weeks ending 22 and 29 September 2006 until 27 October 2006.

September 2006 Orders Exhibition

Two day exhibition held 27 & 28 September 2006in Ballymena Borough Council Offices. Representatives from Roads Service and their consultants were present to answer questions and to provide assistance to members of the general public.

Documents

Exhibition panels (click on thumbnails to enlarge)

Exhibition photographs (click on thumbnails to enlarge)

March 2007 Public Inquiries

Having regard to the nature of the opinions expressed and the strategic importance of the scheme, the Department for Regional Development considered it appropriate to convene local public inquiries to examine the case for and against the scheme. Notices placed in the local press informed the public at large of the Department’s intention to hold public inquiries into the Environmental Statement, the draft Direction Order and draft Vesting Order.

March 2008 Confirmation of Orders

After diligent consideration of the Inspector’s report and recommendations made in light of the objections and representations made at the March 2007 Public Inquiries, the Department for Regional Development has determined that construction of the proposed M2/A26 Ballee Road East Link scheme should proceed. Notices were placed in the local press during weeks beginning 10th and 17th March 2008 confirming the Department’s intention to proceed with the scheme.