The Stormont Executive has been called on to reaffirm its commitment to the A5 scheme.
Liam Stewart.
The call has come from Derry and Strabane Council SDLP candidate for the Sperrin district electoral area, Liam Stewart, who said the Executive needed to make the project a priority and get its development “back on track immediately.”
Mr Stewart said the SDLP in Strabane and across West Tyrone – from Assembly level through to local council level – was “fully committed” to delivering the A5 for the people of the North West.
He added: “At regional and local levels, including through West Tyrone MLA Joe Byrne, the SDLP have been lobbying for the building of this road since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement more than 15 years ago.
“My colleagues and I consider this project the greatest opportunity to put the North West of Ireland on an equal footing in terms of economic investment, with the rest of the North.
“The A5 is not only important in an economic sense, but also in terms of improving road safety. During the month of January, two lives were lost on the A5 causing unimaginable heartbreak for the families.
“This road is not only essential at present, but also for our future and that of our children and grandchildren.
“The A5 will bring jobs to an area that has seen very little effort made by central government to reduce unemployment.”
Mr Stewart concluded: “I am calling on the Executive to make this project a priority and get its development back on track immediately.”
