Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has confirmed that a £635,000 resurfacing programme covering six streets in Maghera town centre will get under way on Monday 28 July 2025. Spanning roughly 1.25 km of carriageway, the works aim to refresh key sections of the A29, A42 and adjoining local roads.
For drivers, pedestrians and nearby businesses the scheme will bring both short-term disruption and—if delivered on schedule—smoother travel for years to come. With the town centre already benefitting from Mid Ulster District Council’s recent public-realm upgrades, the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) believes this latest project will round off a wider facelift for Maghera’s high-street economy.
What the Works Involve
The resurfacing will cover:
- A29 Coleraine Road Car Park and A29 Hall Street
- A42 Lower Main Street & Church Street
- C551 Upper Main Street
- C551 Tirkane Road (Glen Road → Tamney Crescent)
- U5322 St Lurach’s Road
Day-time preparatory and drainage works begin on 28 July. Two-way traffic will be maintained through lane closures or one-way diversions, starting at Tirkane Road and moving towards Church Street.
Full resurfacing is scheduled for the evenings and overnight—6 pm to 7 am—between Monday 18 August and Friday 19 September. Signed diversions will operate during these closures, and completion remains “weather permitting”.
Ministerial Perspective
Announcing the investment, Minister Kimmins said:
“This is a substantial investment for the Maghera area, further enhancing the town centre following the recently completed Public Realm Scheme by Mid Ulster District Council. This will deliver significant benefits for residents and road users… [and] demonstrates my commitment to investing in and improving our road network, which is vital for connecting our businesses and communities.”
The Minister also thanked local residents, businesses and commuters for their “patience while this essential infrastructure work is carried out”.
Points Left Unanswered
The Department has provided an outline timetable and traffic-management plan, yet several practical details remain unclear:
- Funding breakdown: We know the headline cost (£635k), but not whether this is entirely departmental capital or part-funded through council or other sources.
- Contractor and procurement: No information is given on who will deliver the works or how value for money will be monitored.
- Active-travel measures: There is no mention of improved footways, cycling infrastructure or accessibility for people with disabilities—despite the town-centre setting.
- Environmental impact: The announcement does not reference the carbon footprint of materials used or any recycling of old asphalt, an area the DfI has previously highlighted in other schemes.
- Future maintenance plans: How the resurfaced roads will be protected from recurrent pothole damage—an issue costing Northern Ireland an estimated £1.2 million in compensation in 2023 (DfI Freedom of Information release, Feb 2024)—is not explained.
Wider Context
Across Northern Ireland, road-maintenance backlogs were estimated at over £1 billion last year (Northern Ireland Audit Office, Dec 2024). While this Maghera scheme is modest by comparison, it raises broader questions. Many rural and residential routes east of the town have not seen major upgrades in more than a decade. Additionally, the Executive’s Blue-Green Infrastructure Fund emphasises climate-resilient design, yet the press notice does not link the resurfacing to storm-water management or low-carbon construction.
Meanwhile, active-travel advocates point out that resurfacing projects offer a low-cost opportunity to add cycle lanes or protected crossings. DfI’s own Walking and Cycling Strategy (2023) commits to “mainstreaming” such measures, but they are not referenced in this case.
Questions for Further Scrutiny
- How will the Department ensure that the £635,000 spend delivers long-term durability rather than a short-term cosmetic fix?
- What engagement has taken place with local businesses to mitigate evening and overnight disruption during the six-week closure window?
- Could the resurfacing incorporate segregated cycle lanes or enhanced pedestrian crossings in line with DfI’s Walking and Cycling Strategy?
- What steps will be taken to recycle removed asphalt and cut the project’s carbon footprint?
- Given the wider maintenance backlog, how does the Department prioritise which towns receive investment, and where does Maghera sit in that hierarchy?
Looking Ahead
If the weather cooperates, fresh tarmac should be laid by 19 September, in time for the autumn retail period. Residents will be keen to see whether smoother surfaces translate into fewer vehicle repairs and a more attractive streetscape for shoppers. Equally, campaigners for greener, safer travel will watch to see if any complementary active-travel measures follow.
For now, anyone travelling through Maghera between late July and mid-September should bookmark DfI’s social-media channels for traffic updates and factor extra time into their journey.