Protected Routes Network and Strategic Road Improvements

The Protected Routes network has progressively been improved over the years, including the building of motorways, ring roads, through-passes, by-passes and dual carriageways. Such improvements to the strategic road network in Northern Ireland will continue in the future as part of Roads Service's ongoing programme of investment. This will include the provision of High Standard Dual Carriageways, a new standard of dual carriageway, similar in design terms to a motorway. It is important that a new access or intensified use of an existing access onto a Protected Route does not compromise their function of facilitating the free and safe movement of traffic or does not significantly add to congestion. Additionally on stretches of Protected Routes designed specifically to facilitate the efficient and safe movement of traffic, it is essential that access which would compromise road safety or prejudice their design standards, is severely restricted.