Roads Minister Danny Kennedy has been called on make a clear statement outlining his Department’s programme for construction of the A5 dual carriageway.
The call has come from West Tyrone MLA Declan McAleer who challenged the Minister receiving correspondence which indicated that public consultation exercises on the project would not commence until Spring next year.
Mr. McAleer said whilst Minister Kennedy’s response reiterated DRD’s and the Executive’s commitment to the A5 Western Transport Corridor, it also raised a number of questions which need to be addressed.
He added: “While work on the Appropriate Assessment has been ongoing since the Spring, the Minister has failed to say when he will be in a position to sign off on this assessment but goes on to state that a public consultation on the Appropriate Assessment is expected to take place in Spring 2014.
“The Minister has also revealed that a review of the Environmental Statement has taken place and an addendum to the Environmental Statement will be published. I understand that this will also be subject to a public consultation, which may explain why his letter referred in the plural to consultation exercises, but this needs clarity.”
Mr. McAleer said this latest correspondence from Minister Kennedy “raised more questions that it has answered. ”
He concluded: “I have therefore contacted his office requesting that he makes a clear statement that outlines the next steps and indicative timeline for commencing work and completion of the A5 Western Transport Corridor. The people of the West and the beleaguered construction industry deserve answers.”
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