To ask the Minister for Infrastructure, pursuant to AQW 6562/22-27, to detail any proposals that have been developed to improve the junction of the A26 Glenavy Road and Station Road, Moira, with particular reference to traffic from the Ballinderry direction turning right to access the park and ride facility at Moira Train Station.

My Department has carried out a feasibility study on possible improvements to the Glenavy Road / Station Road / Magheramesk Lane junction, to provide a right turn lane into Station Road. This work derived from an earlier Route Improvement Study of the A26 Glenavy Road and is separate from the traffic impact assessment undertaken as part of the planning application for a Park & Ride site at Moira train station.

While this has developed a range of preliminary options, which range in size, design standards and cost, the current side road layout does not easily lend itself to the provision of right turn lane into Station Road while still maintaining the current facilities and catering for all traffic movements. As such, my Department will continue to develop these proposals.

A Transport Assessment Form for the Moira Park and Ride development was provided and modelling of the impact of the junctions at both ends of Station Road was carried out by the applicant’s agent at the request of my department. This showed that there was less than 5% intensification of the A26 Glenavy Road/Maghreamesk Lane junction. This junction therefore did not warrant improvement as part of the development.