The A8 is the principal route from Belfast to the major sea port of Larne, where a large percentage of Northern Ireland (and a smaller percentage of Irish Republic traffic) enters the island. It runs from the M2 at Glengormley to Larne and also forms part of European Route E01. Approximately a third of the route is already dualled, consisting of a stretch at each end. Although the remaining road is straight and well built, the presence of large numbers of HGVs on the route means that the average speed is lower than for other similar roads. As of 2008 the average traffic level was 18,000 vehicles per day, close to the upper limit for a single-carriageway road. This project, which is being part-funded by the Irish Republic, will see the remainder of the road dualled. This map (not exactly to scale) shows the current arrangement with the scope of the upgrade indicated in red:

Larne Council have been campaigning for the route to be dualled but until 2006 Roads Service had no plans to proceed in the following 10 years. However, during the optimistic political developments of April 2007 the Irish government offered a "peace dividend" to build infrastructure in Northern Ireland. The two schemes to benefit were the dualling of the A5 from Londonderry to the Irish border at Aughnacloy, and this scheme to dual the A8.

Between 1999 and 2000 a detailed study was carried out on the A8 with a view to improving the route. This resulted in the construction of a short stretch of dual-carriageway between Houston's Corner and Coleman's Corner (at the south end of this project), a roundabout with climbing lanes at the south side of Ballynure, the Ballynure Southern Link Road. Funding at the time was limited, so a full dualling scheme did not take place. Plans to widen the rest of the A8 to dual-carriageway standard had however been on the cards for some time and in fact a road protection corridor exists for the entire route.

However, in the eight years since then the funding level has increased dramatically. This means that the current planners are no longer limited by the route protection corridor. They are now able to examine other options, including partly or fully offline routes for a new road, and more ambitious junction improvements, including grade separation (ie flyovers). The public consultation held in May 2008 informed the public of this newfound freedom and prepared landowners on the route for some of the options that may be proposed as the scheme develops.

Route and Standard

At the time of writing (May 2008) neither the route nor the standard of the road has been decided, other than the fact that it will be a dual-carriageway. A number of factors are taken into account when deciding whether the new road should be widened version of the current road, or take a new route, and what standard the junctions should be. These factors are formally defined to be [a] environmental (the impact of the option on the environment) [b] safety (of road users and those alongside the road) [c] economy (how the new road will benefit the economy and lead to better efficiencies) [d] accessibility (how people will make all types of journey after opening) and [e] integration (the need to tie in with other modes of transport).

The route is constrained by a number of factors, including

• Bruslee hamlet, which straddles the A8 towards the south end of the scheme.
• Ballynure, a large village which also straddles the A8 half way along the scheme.
• The "local landscape policy area" at the western side of Ballynure.
• A number of watercourses.
• The environmentally sensitive areas north of the A8.
• Larne's green belt at the north end of the scheme.
• Various ancient monuments.

When the Ballynure Southern Link Road was opened in 2005 (which is a bit like the south-eastern quarter of an imaginary ring round Ballynure) there was a suggestion that it could be upgraded to dual-carriageway. However at the public exhibition in May 2008 the engineers commented that the way this road ties in to the existing A8 (at right angles) is not ideal for a freeflow road so may or may not be used for the preferred route.

A preferred route announcement is expected in the summer of 2009.

Progress

23 May 2008: Roads Service held a preliminary public exhibition about the scheme on 20 and 21 May 2008. The aim of this was to inform landowners and other interested parties about the scope of the project and to keep them informed as to the process that would be followed. It was revealed that the next milestone will be the announcement of the preferred route in Summer 2009. They also said that scheme delivery would be between 2013 and 2018, rather than simply "2013" as stated in the document "Investment Delivery Plan for Roads". Finally, the scheme now has an official web page, although at the minute it does not seem to be linked from anywhere on the Roads Service web site!

28 Apr 2008: According to the "Investment Delivery Plan for Roads" document released in April 2008, this scheme has now been placed into the "Preparation pool" for schemes likely to proceed within 5 years, ie by 2013.

14 Sep 2007: At the fifth plenary meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council in July the Northern Ireland Executive "confirmed its acceptance, in principle, to taking forward these two major road projects." and stated that "The road project from Belfast to Larne will be taken forward by the Northern Ireland Executive and its agencies." No timeline has been stated, but it is likely that the scheme will progress within the next ten years.

Note on Costs

In 2007 the Irish government offered £400m to the Northern Ireland Executive to be used for the upgrade of the A5 between the Irish border near Aughnacloy and Londonderry, and the A8 between Newtownabbey and Larne. In July 2007 the Executive accepted the funding. In November 2007 the Executive announced that they would proceed with both schemes at a total cost of £660m. As this amount was not allocated separately between the two schemes, the figures above assume that both schemes have the same cost per kilometre. So the Irish contribution given above as £60m, and the total cost of £100m also given above, are based on the assumption that 15% of the funds for the two schemes will go towards the A8 scheme. This may not be accurate and should be taken as indicative only.

Photos

Bruslee hamlet straddles the A8. Here seem looking towards Belfast in 2006. If the road protection corridor is used (and it may not) the widening would be on the far side of the road. [Wesley Johnston]

The A8 climbing towards Belfast from Ballynure, seen in 2004. A climbing lane has since been added here. [Wesley Johnston]

The Ballynure Southern Link road opened in 2005 to allow vehicles heading to Carrickfergus from the A8 to bypass the village centre - will it be upgraded as part of this proposed scheme and become part of the A8? [Wesley Johnston]