All images: Padraig Merron
The construction of a new £6million road in Ballymena, which began almost 12 months ago, is on schedule and nearing completion.
Part of the regeneration of the former St Patrick's Baracks in the town, the road connects the Ecos roundabout on Broughshane Road, to the Larne Road Link opposite Sainsbury's. Viewed as a project by itself many have considered the road unneccessary and waste of public funds, but when considered as part of a larger exciting vision for the multi-million pound regeneration of the site it begins to make more sense.
A strategically important brownfield site located close to the centre of the town, St Patrick’s Barracks was closed by the Ministry of Defence in 2007, following which the UK Government gifted the site to the NI Executive for regeneration through the Department for Communities (DfC).
Following extensive consultation work by the DfC in 2016/17, results were used in support of the Outline Planning Permission for the land which was approved in 2019. Plans embodied the vision to see the creation of a shared, mixed use, housing-led regeneration scheme supported by infrastructure including the new road, footpaths and cycle ways.
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council (MEABC) plan to construct a new Leisure, Health and Wellbeing facility and an Innovation Centre at the site. Both will serve as a future hub for a Smart and sustainable district at St Patrick’s.
Above and below: The new link road providing access to Suffolk Street and the new NRC campus currently under construction.
A brand new state-of-the-art £40million campus for Northern Regional College (NRC) is currently under construction and continuing at pace, that when finished will allow NRC to cater for 1,800 students across Ballymena. The new campus will be ready for learners during the 2025/26 academic year.
It is understood the location is also earmarked for a new modern fit-for-use police station.
Overall the regeneration of the former St Patricks Barracks site is expected to deliver more than £160m investment, while supporting hundreds of jobs, and creating exciting opportunities for the future.
According to DfC, the new road is the key to unlocking the regeneration potential of the site, including providing vital infrastructure for the 135 new homes currently under construction by housing association Radius Housing.
Above: Construction of 135 new homes progressing.
Above: Link Road access to new housing development.
Announcing the construction of the road in May 2022, the then Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey said:
“The commencement of the construction of this road is an important step forward in the transformation of this former military barracks into a thriving community, a place where people can, live, work, learn and enjoy new leisure facilities."
The Minister added:
“When completed this road will benefit people who live, work and visit Ballymena through new and enhanced linkages and is another significant investment following on from recent improvements to the public realm in the town centre.”
Speaking recently to Love Ballymena a spokesperson for the Department for Communities confirmed it is expected that the road will open late June/beginning of July.