The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has welcomed news that building work on the Ballynahinch bypass in County Down should begin in three years.

The Department for Infrastructure said work should commence in 2028-29 with the road set to open two years later.

Martin Reid, RHA Policy Director, said: “This is good news for businesses and communities in Northern Ireland. Congestion stymies growth and costs the economy more than £30 billionn each year. The new bypass will make journeys more efficient and will improve the vital connectivity that drives the economy.”