The multi-million pound upgrading of the A5 Derry-Dublin road is “delayed” and “not abandoned,” Roads Minister Danny Kennedy has said.
The Irish Government has withdrawn funding for the major road project to which it had committed £400m in funding. The total cost of the 55-mile upgrade from Derry to Aughnacloy – which would create a key cross-border business route linking Dublin to the North West – was to be £850m.
Minister Kennedy was speaking in Stormont after being questioned on the matter by West Tyrone Sinn Féin Assembly member, Declan McAleer.
Speaking after questioning the Minister during Question Time, Mr McAleer said the A5 dual carriageway project had the overwhelming support of the people, not only in the North West but right throughout the country.
He added: “The delay in its construction has caused widespread frustration to the thousands of people who use the road each day and to those of us who recognise the potential of the A5 Western Transport Corridor to develop the North West and redress the infrastructural deficit west of the Bann.”
Mr McAleer said he welcomed the Minister’s confirmation the project an Executive priority and the necessary assessment in respect of the EU Habitat Directive was ongoing.
Mr McAleer continued: “Minister Kennedy also confirmed that this would be subject to a public consultation and possibly a public inquiry.”
Mr McAleer said he intended to “to probe” the Minister further in respect of anticipated time scales for completion of the next steps.
He concluded: “The A5 Western Transport Corridor is the single biggest infrastructural project in this part of the country, it is essential that we collectively keep a firm focus on the project given its huge economic and social importance.”
